Wolverines Split on Day One of Michigan Invitational

Saturday, January 29

Ann Arbor, Mich.

9:00 AM

Michigan

4-1

Hawaii

0-1

Hawai'i

Michigan

Sophie Jackson (Michigan Photography)

1/29/2022 7:47:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 PDF Boxscore (Hawaii)PDF Boxscore (Stanford)Photo Gallery

By: Kyler Ludlow

» Michigan split on the first day of the Michigan Invitational, defeating No. 5 Hawaii 10-8 the fell to No. 2 Stanford 14-5.
» Ava Morrant and Maddie O'Reilly each registered five points on the day.
» Goalies Alex Brown and Sophie Jackson had nine and eight saves, respectively, in the two games.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Canham Natatorium)
Event: Michigan Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
Scores: #6 Michigan 10, #5 Hawaii 8; #2 Stanford 14, #6 Michigan 5
Records: U-M (4-2), UH (1-1), Stanford (2-0)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Jan. 30 -- vs. #22 Marist - Michigan Invitational (Canham Natatorium), 9:30 a.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan water polo team split its first day as the host of the Michigan Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 29), topping No. 5 Hawaii 10-8 before falling to No. 2 Stanford 14-5 at Canham Natatorium.

#6 Michigan 10, #5 Hawaii 8

The day began with an exciting showdown between No. 5 Hawaii and the Wolverines, as U-M held off a late Rainbow Wahine challenge to win the Michigan Invitational opener 10-8.

The Maize and Blue brought a 9-6 lead into the fourth period, but Hawaii was able to score two goals in quick succession with a minute and a half left to bring the score to 9-8. Senior captain Erin Neustrom stopped the possibility of a comeback and scored with just 58 seconds remaining off an assist from fellow senior captain Ava Morrant to eventually give the Wolverines the win.

Michigan jumped ahead in the first minute of the game as fifth-year Maddie O'Reilly found the back of the net. The Wolverines fought off a few Hawaii offensive attacks and flipped the pressure to score twice. Senior Kayla Barone and sophomore Elise Walker both scored to give U-M a 3-0 lead in the first period. The Rainbow Wahine fought back to tie the game at 3 with 15 seconds left in the first period.

The second period saw the Wolverines jump in front once again, as Barone scored her second of the game just 40 seconds into the frame. U-M scored three more times in the stanza with senior Ava Morrant and sixth-year Maddy Steere adding their names to the scoresheet, and O'Reilly adding her second tally of the match to give Michigan a 7-3 lead at the end of the first half.

The third was a back-and-forth battle with Hawaii opening the scoring in the period. Under a minute later, Morrant found the back of the net again, but Hawaii was able to do the same soon after. Both teams scored again near the close of the period with junior Sophie Tovani giving the Wolverines a 9-5 advantage.

Junior Alex Brown, who played in goal the first half, picked up the win in goal for the Wolverines, finishing with three saves. Senior Sophie Jackson played the second half and made five saves. Michigan capitalized on its scoring chances, shooting an impressive .556 percent and held Hawaii to a .320 shooting percentage, and a better power-play percentage (.429 to .200).

Stanford 14 Michigan 5

Michigan fell behind No. 2 Stanford early and never fully recovered, falling 14-5 to the Cardinals in the Wolverines' second game of the day.

The Wolverines started off the game on the back foot with Stanford scoring the first two goals of the match. Senior Kayla Barone scored the first goal of the game for the Wolverines. Stanford added two more in the period with one coming on the advantage.

The second half opened with a 4-0 Stanford scoring run. Senior captain Ava Morrant stopped the run on the advantage, scoring her first goal of the match and third of the day. Stanford answered quickly and the half ended 9-2.

Stanford came out for the second half and added two more goals in the third period to extend its lead to 11-2.

Michigan tried to battle back in the fourth period, scoring two early goals. Senior Erin Neustrom found the back of the net on the advantage in the first minute. Sixth-year Maddy Steere scored less than two minutes later to cut the Cardinal lead to six. Stanford and U-M then traded goals, with fifth-year Maddie O'Reilly getting on the scoresheet for the Wolverines. The Cardinal added two more to close out the game.

The Maize and Blue were outshot 29-19 by the Cardinal and the Wolverine goalkeeper tandem of senior Sophie Jackson and junior Alex Brown tallied three and six saves, respectively.

The Wolverines will round out the Michigan Invitational on Sunday (Jan. 30) with a pair of games, first taking on No. 22 Marist at 9:30 a.m., and ending with No. 3 UCLA at 3:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on B1G+.