Wolverines Topple Sun Devils, Bulldogs to Wrap Season-Opening Weekend

Sunday, January 23

Tempe, Ariz.

8:30 AM MT

Michigan

2-1

Arizona State

0-4

Michigan

Arizona State

Maddy Steere (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Topple Sun Devils, Bulldogs to Wrap Season-Opening Weekend

1/23/2022 5:47:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 PDF Boxscore vs. #4 Arizona State PDF Boxscore vs. #10 Fresno State

By: Kyler Ludlow

» Michigan went 2-0 on the day, defeating No. 4 Arizona State 10-8 and No. 10 Fresno State 9-7.
» Maddy Steere tallied the game-winning goal against Arizona State in overtime.
» Kayla Barone registered a hat trick against ASU, scoring all three goals in the second half, and added an assist.

Site: Tempe, Ariz. (Mona Plummer Aquatic Center)
Event: ASU Cross Conference Challenge (Day 3 of 3) Scores: #8 Michigan 10, #4 Arizona State 8 (OT); #8 Michigan 9, #10 Fresno State 7
Records: U-M (3-1), ASU (0-4), FSU (1-3)
Next U-M Event: Sat-Sun. (Jan. 29-30) -- host, Michigan Invitational (Canham Natatorium)

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan water polo team finished the Arizona State Cross Conference Challenge is style Sunday (Jan. 23), defeating host and No. 4-ranked Arizona State 10-8 in an overtime thriller and topping No. 10 Fresno State 9-7 at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

#8 Michigan 10 #4 Arizona State 8 (OT)

After defense dominated the first overtime period, Michigan broke an 8-8 tie midway through the second thanks to sixth-year senior Maddy Steere's second goal of the day with 1:39 to go. Senior goalie Sophie Jackson turned aside a dangerous ASU attack to maintain the lead on the next possession, and fifth-year senior Maddie O'Reilly put the game out of reach for the Wolverines moments later.

The teams locked in a back-and-forth contest from the start, as Arizona State scored the first goal of the game just 30 seconds into action and then went up 2-0 at the 5:31 mark. The Wolverines struck back with three straight goals, two of which came from senior captain Erin Neustrom. Also finding the back of the cage was fifth-year Sofie Pontré, who scored a power-play goal off an assist from Kata Utassy.

Arizona State tied up the score with just 22 seconds remaining in the first half, sending the teams into the break tied at 3.

The second half followed a similar script as the first, as ASU scored the first two goals of the half to take a 5-3 lead. Senior Kayla Barone took over the scoring responsibilities for the Wolverines, scoring the next three goals for Michigan, the last of which tied the score at 6 early in the fourth quarter.

U-M fell behind once again when Arizona State converted on a penalty-shot attempt, but was able to tie the score at 7 after a goal from sophomore Elise Walker. The Sun Devils pulled ahead again just a minute later, but the Wolverines were able to strike back in the final minute of regulation.

Steere, working the middle of the offense, re-directed a pass from O'Reilly to beat the keeper and tie the score at 8. The play set up the heroics that same duo would play in extra time.

Jackson, who played in goal the second half and overtime, picked up the win in goal for the Wolverines, finishing with eight saves. Alex Brown played the first half and made five saves. Michigan finished the game with a better shooting percentage (.357 to .276) than Arizona State, and dominated in power-play percentage (.500 to .091).

#8 Michigan 9, #10 Fresno State 7
The Wolverines put together an all-around effort in the final game of the ASU Cross Conference Challenge, topping No. 10 Fresno State 9-7.

Only Kayla Barone found the back of the net more than once in the day's second game, scoring twice in the first half to help Michigan build its first-half lead.

As with their first game of the day, the Wolverines found themselves in a hole in the first quarter. Sixth year Maddy Steere netted the first goal of the game off a penalty shot, but Fresno State responded with two goals to take the lead with 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Barone evened the score with her first tally of the day just 15 seconds later, and the two teams went tied 2-2 into the second quarter.

Fresno State scored the first goal of the second period, but Michigan responded by scoring the next three to take a 5-3 lead into halftime. Sophomore Kata Utassy converted a penalty shot to tie the score at 3, and Barone gave the Maize and Blue the lead for good with her second goal of the day. Fifth-year Maddie O'Reilly pushed the lead to 5-3 with a goal off an assist from senior Ava Morrant.

Michigan started the second half with a goal to make it a 4-0 run over the Bulldogs, as senior Erin Neustrom found glory thanks to a helper from Steere. Fresno State stopped Michigan's scoring run with a third quarter goal, but Sofie Pontré pushed the Wolverines back ahead by three with a power play goal just a few possessions later.

With time waning in the third quarter, the Bulldogs once again cut the lead to two by scoring with just 27 seconds left. Michigan responded, as Elise Walker scored with three ticks left on the clock to push U-M's lead to 8-5.

The Bulldogs outscored the Wolverines 2-1 in the final frame, but it was not enough to overcome the Michigan lead. Sophomore Lola Ciruli tallied the Wolverines' goal in the fourth quarter, her first of the 2022 campaign.

Michigan once again used the goalie tandem of junior Alex Brown and senior Sophie Jackson to anchor the defense, and both showed they were up to task. Brown made nine saves in the first half, and Jackson came in relief to make six saves in the second.

The Wolverines return to Canham Natatorium next weekend (Jan. 29-30), hosting Hawaii, Stanford, Marist and UCLA in the Michigan Invitational. Michigan opens the tournament Saturday (Jan. 29) at 9 a.m. against Hawaii.