Michigan
Salem
Michigan Returns Home for Two-Game Set with Salem
3/25/2021 11:38:00 AM | Water Polo
» The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team looks to extend its good run of form when it hosts Salem for a two-game series on Saturday (March 27) at Canham Natatorium. The games will begin at 9 a.m. and noon.
» The Wolverines are back at Canham Natatorium after spending the last four weekends on the road. They went 9-4 in those contests.
» Prior to the second game, U-M will honor its four seniors and two graduate students class.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, March 27 -- vs. Salem (Canham Natatorium)
Saturday, March 27 -- vs. Salem, 9 a.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, March 27 -- vs. Salem, Noon
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Stats | Live Video
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The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team (13-4) looks to continue its good run of form as it returns home for a two-game series with Salem (12-9) on Saturday (March 27) at Canham Natatorium. The games will begin at 9 a.m. and noon, and will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus.
Prior to the second game, U-M will honor its two graduate students (Heidi Ritner, Emily Byrne) and four seniors (Kathy Rogers, Emily Ritner, Sofie Pontré and Maddie O'Reilly). Together, they helped lead Michigan to a 79-30 record over the last four years, including two CWPA championships and two NCAA Tournament berths.
Schedule Update
A two-game series with UC Irvine, scheduled for next Friday and Saturday (April 2-3), has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. The decision was made by UC Irvine out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of the student-athletes.
Team Notes
• The Wolverines are back at Canham Natatorium after spending the last four weekends on the road. They went 9-4 in those contests.
• Michigan remains at No. 7 in the latest CWPA Varsity Top 25 poll, released on March 24.
• A trio of Wolverines received CWPA weekly honors following a perfect 4-0 start to CWPA play last weekend. Maddie O'Reilly was named Player of the Week, Alex Brown was Defensive Player of the Week and Libby Alsemgeest was Rookie of the Week. [ Awards and Honors ]
• Since a 7-6 overtime loss to San Diego State on March 7, U-M has won six straight by a combined score of 89-27. The defense has held opponents to five goals or fewer in five of those six contests.
• The Wolverines are proving to have good depth in goal. Backing up Heidi Ritner this year, the duo of Alex Brown and Sophie Jackson have combined to make 67 saves, conceding only 49 goals in 288 minutes. Brown and Jackson split time evenly in goal last weekend, with Brown earning CWPA Defensive Player of the Week honors after allowing only five goals (in four games) and making 11 saves.
• Centers Erin Neustrom and Libby Alsemgeest have proven to be effective at close range. Through 17 games, the duo has 42 goals on 68 shots, good for a 62 percent shooting percentage. They have also drawn 38 exclusions.
• Since the start of last season, Maddie O'Reilly has been electric, averaging more than three points per game (3.19). In those 36 games, she has tallied 115 points on 76 goals and 49 assists.
Opponent Preview
Salem: The Tigers are 12-9 on the season and come to Ann Arbor riding an eight-game win streak. Salem has five players in the top 10 nationally in goals: Annefleur ten Bloemendal (60), Margerita Garibbo (46), Chloe Woodbine (37), Courtney O'Shaughnessy (29) and Erin Zappia (26). Garibbo, Bloemendal and Zappia rank 1-2-3 in points. Philippa Piper ranks first in saves per game (11.2).
The Wolverines lead, 4-0, all-time against Salem, including a 12-7 win at the Michigan Invitational back in February.
Up Next
Sunday, April 11 -- at Bucknell, vs. Saint Francis (Lewisburg, Pa.), 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
