U-M Ends Barbara Kalbus Invite on High Note With Win Over San Diego State

Sunday, February 26

Irvine, Calif.

10:15 AM PT

Michigan

10-7

San Diego State

3-8

San Diego State

Michigan

Lola Ciruli (Michigan Photography)

U-M Ends Barbara Kalbus Invite on High Note With Win Over San Diego State

2/26/2023 3:10:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Bridgette Underwood

» Libby Alsemgeest led Michigan with three goals, while Sophie Tovani recorded four points with two goals and two assists.
» Alex Brown was the star between the posts with 11 saves, while Sammi Monroe came up with three steals.
» Michigan will be back in action on Saturday (March 4) when they host the Wolverine Invitational at Canham Natatorium.

IRVINE, Calif. -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan water polo team defeated No. 21 San Diego State 13-5 on Sunday (Feb. 26), the final day of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational at the Anteater Aquatic Complex.

Libby Alsemgeest led Michigan (11-7) with three goals, while Sophie Tovani recorded four points with two goals and two assists. Alex Brown was the star between the posts with 11 saves, and Sammi Monroe came up with three steals.

Monroe won the first sprint of the game to give Michigan its first offensive possession. Lola Ciruli struck first for the Wolverines with an assist given to Brown. Two minutes later, Alsemgeest beat the goalie and put it in the back of the cage, giving U-M a 2-0 lead. San Diego State (3-9) was able to sneak the ball past Brown for its first goal before Monroe took advantage on a power play to give Michigan its two-goal lead back. Ava Morrant added one more goal to give the Maize and Blue a 4-2 lead after the first quarter of play.

Kata Utassy fired a shot into the cage for the first goal of the second quarter off a pass from Sophie Tovani. Erin Neustrom and Tovani got in on the fun with goals of their own, pulling Michigan to a 7-2 lead. The Aztecs added a goal two minutes before the half, closing their deficit to four.

Utassy started off the second half with a shot to the back of the net with three minutes left in the third quarter. Tovani scored her second goal of the game on a power play and an assist from Fiona Young to give U-M a 9-3 lead after three quarters.

Alsemgeest netted her second and third goals of the game with help from Ciruli, earning a hat trick and pulling the Wolverines to an 11-3 lead with six minutes to play. The Aztecs snuck in a goal before Neustrom recorded her second goal and Issy Jackson scored her first with one minute left in regulation. San Diego State added one more goal before the game ended, but Michigan took the win, 13-5.

Michigan will back in action and inside Canham Natatorium for the first time this season on Saturday and Sunday (March 4-5), when the host the Wolverine Invitational. The Wolverines will take on Salem on Saturday (March 4) at 12:30 p.m. before facing San Jose State at 5:30 p.m.