Michigan
Wagner
Wolverines Open Michigan Invitational with Split
1/25/2020 8:50:00 PM | Water Polo
» Junior Maddie O'Reilly matched a career high with four goals against Wagner.
» Three freshmen made their collegiate debuts.
» Junior Sofie Pontré recorded two goals and four steals against UCLA.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Canham Natatorium)
Event: Michigan Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
Score: #7 Michigan 11, #21 Wagner 8; #5 UCLA 12, #7 Michigan 4
Records: U-M (3-3), Wagner (0-1), UCLA (6-1)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Jan. 26 -- vs. Pacific - Michigan Invitational, Day 2 (Canham Natatorium), 9:15 a.m.
• Boxscores: Wagner | UCLA
• Photo Galleries: Wagner | UCLA
• Tournament Central
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team opened the Michigan Invitational with an 11-8 win over No. 21 Wagner on Saturday (Jan. 25) before falling to No. 5 UCLA in the nightcap, 12-4, at Canham Natatorium.
Game 1: No. 7 Michigan 11, No. 21 Wagner 8
The Wolverines clicked on offense through the first half, piling up eight goals to build an 8-2 lead with 2:26 left in the second quarter. Wagner went on a 5-0 run over the next 7:33 to get within one goal. However, Michigan allowed one more goal over the final 11:32 of the contest and took the win.
The Maize and Blue received several individual standout performances. Junior Maddie O'Reilly matched a career high with four goals -- one in each quarter -- and one assist. Senior Skyler Pyle connected with on each of O'Reilly's goals to match a career high with four assists and added two goals. Freshman Erin Neustrom had her first hat trick of the season, doing so in the first half.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Heidi Ritner made 10 saves and allowed just five goals in nearly 28 minutes of action.
Three freshmen made their collegiate debut against Wagner. Abby May and Grace Harbaugh each entered the game late in the second quarter. Goalkeeper Alex Brown played the first 4:04 of the third quarter, making one save.
Game 2: No. 5 UCLA 12, No. 7 Michigan 4
The evening game featured the alumni band, a large crowd in maize and blue and a postseason atmosphere.
However, the Wolverines could not get their offense going until the second half as UCLA used a four-goal second quarter to build a 6-0 halftime lead.
While U-M was much better on offense in the third quarter, scoring four goals to match UCLA's output, it could not overcome its first-half deficit and fell to the Bruins.
The defense was a bright spot early on for Michigan. Led by junior Sofie Pontré, who had four steals, U-M was able to hold UCLA to just two goals in the first eight minutes with Ritner making four opening-quarter saves.
Pontré also was Michigan's leading scorer in the contest with two goals. Sophomore Ava Morrant and freshman Sophie Tovani also added goals in the game for the Maize and Blue.
The Wolverines will be back in Canham on Sunday (Jan. 26) for two more games to wrap the Michigan Invitational. The day's games will start at 8 a.m. with U-M to take to the pool at 9:15 a.m. against No. 11 Pacific. The Wolverines will cap the day with a contest against No. 9 UC Santa Barbara at 1:45 p.m.
