Michigan
Pacific
Michigan Falls to No. 8 Pacific in Kalbus Invitational Opener
2/23/2018 11:02:00 PM | Water Polo
» Michigan has lost to Pacific three times by a total of six goals.
» The Tigers used a 5-0 run in the second half to pull through with the 8-6 win.
» Sophomore Heidi Ritner had 14 saves in the loss.
Site: Irvine, Calif. (Corona del Mar High School)
Event: Barbara Kalbus Invitational (Day 1 of 3)
Score: #8 Pacific 8, #9 Michigan 6
Records: U-M (7-7), Pacific (6-2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 24 -- vs. #19 Long Beach State - Barbara Kalbus Invitational (Irvine, Calif.), 8 a.m. PST
• PDF Boxscore
IRVINE, Calif. -- A five-goal run by No. 8 Pacific led to an 8-6 victory over the No. 9 University of Michigan water polo team on Friday (Feb. 23) to lead off the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.
After Michigan took a two-goal lead at 5-3 with 1:59 to play in the third quarter, Pacific scored five straight goals. The run covered nearly the rest of the game, as the fifth straight goal came with 34 seconds remaining. The Wolverines were able to get one more late goal on a penalty shot by Maddy Steere, but the damage had been done.
Michigan's defense was brilliant in the first half, holding Pacific to only two goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Heidi Ritner had 10 of her 14 saves in the first half. She added four more saves in the third quarter, but the Tigers owned the fourth quarter, scoring on all four of their shots on goal.
U-M had a 3-2 lead at halftime after junior Kim Johnson scored two goals in the first quarter. Freshman Maddy Johnston also finished the game with two goals to go with two steals.
The Wolverines will be back in action first thing tomorrow morning (Saturday, Feb. 24) as they take on No. 19 Long Beach State at 8 a.m. PST at Corona del Mar High School.
