O'Reilly, Ritner Push Michigan Past No. 13 Pacific

Monday, April 5

Stockton, Calif.

7:00 PM PT

Michigan

16-4

Pacific

7-3

Michigan

Pacific

Maddie O'Reilly (Michigan Photography)

4/5/2021 11:39:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Brad Rudner

» Maddie O'Reilly scored the go-ahead goal with 37 seconds left. It was Michigan's only lead of the night.
» Heidi Ritner made 15 saves in the contest, including 10 in the first half.
» U-M won its ninth consecutive matchup.

Site: Stockton, Calif. (Chris Kjeldsen Pool)
Score: #7 Michigan 5, #13 Pacific 4
Records: U-M (16-4), UOP (7-3)
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, April 6 -- at #13 Pacific (Stockton, Calif.), 4 p.m. PDT

STOCKTON, Calif. -- Senior Maddie O'Reilly scored a power-play goal with 37 seconds left and graduate student Heidi Ritner made 15 saves in the cage as the No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team grinded out a 5-4 win over No. 13 Pacific on Monday (April 5) at Chris Kjledsen Pool. The victory was the ninth straight for U-M.

The Wolverines got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter, trailing 1-0 after the first eight minutes of play. They had their opportunities, including three power plays, but could not convert.

The first genuine chance for Michigan (16-4) fell to junior Erin Neustrom, but her attempt clipped the crossbar. The Tigers went up 2-0 on the power play until Neustrom broke the scoreless streak, skipping a shot at close range off a feed from O'Reilly. After the Wolverines forced a Pacific turnover, they tied the match at 2 on a goal from freshman Libby Alsemgeest. With two goals in the final 1:09 of the first half, the two teams went into halftime deadlocked.

Pacific (7-3) went up 3-2 after a Michigan offensive foul led to a quick 2-on-1 opportunity. The Wolverines got a power play of their own and tried to answer through O'Reilly, but her quick shot hit the post. The Tigers doubled their lead to 4-2, but a goal from senior Emily Ritner cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Wolverines wasted little time scoring at the start of the fourth quarter, as junior Ava Morrant fired a goal at the near post right off the sprint. U-M went ahead for the first time -- and for good -- on an O'Reilly power-play goal with 37 seconds left in the game. The Tigers had one final chance, but a long-range shot from Truly Dorland was easily knocked down by Heidi Ritner, sealing the win.

Ritner was masterful in goal, making 15 saves, including 10 in the first half. U-M was outshot by seven (28-21) but held the Tigers to just four goals and only a 1-for-6 clip on the power play.

Michigan and Pacific will play again Tuesday (April 6) at 4 p.m. PDT at Chris Kjeldsen Pool.