Utassy Notches Third-Straight Hat-Trick; U-M Falls to No. 4 Cal on Final Day of Polo-Palooza

Sunday, January 21

Fresno, Calif.

8:00 AM PT

Michigan

0-3, 0-0

California

3-0, 0-0

California

Michigan

Riley Chapple (Michigan Photography)

Utassy Notches Third-Straight Hat-Trick; U-M Falls to No. 4 Cal on Final Day of Polo-Palooza

1/21/2024 1:10:00 PM | Water Polo

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By: Alex Whisnant

FRESNO, Calif. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan water polo team (0-3) wrapped up the second and final day of Fresno State's Polo-Palooza on Sunday (Jan. 21) with a 16-7 loss to No. 4 California.

Senior Kata Utassy tallied her third hat-trick in as many games, scoring four goals against the Golden Bears to bring her total to 13 in three games through the season-opening tournament. Utassy was efficient, converting on more than half of her shot attempts (13-for-23) against three top-10 teams. Riley Chapple got on the scoresheet for the first time in 2024, while Sammi Monroe chipped in a goal and an assist. Libby Alsemgeest rounded out the scoring for the Maize and Blue, scoring once to finish with four scores over the weekend.

California cracked the scoreboard first, scoring the first three goals of the game with three different players to make the score 3-0 with 5:32 on the clock in the second quarter. Chapple stopped the run with her first goal of the season on a looping shot attempt that found the bottom left corner of the cage. Cal responded with another 3-0 spurt, including two goals on the power play, to extend its lead to 6-1 at the halftime whistle.

Both offenses came to life in the third quarter as the Wolverines and Golden Bears combined for nine goals in the period. Utassy announced her presence in the contest by converting on a penalty shot to cut into the lead, 6-2. After a California score pushed the advantage back to five, Monroe found Utassy who found the back of the net to make it a 7-3 game in favor of Cal with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter. The Golden Bears responded with a goal by Elena Flynn before Utassy buried another penalty shot to complete the hat-trick and bring the score to 8-4.

California closed the third frame with four straight goals to pull away. After three quarters, the Golden Bears held a 12-4 advantage.

Michigan added three goals in the final period as Alsemgeest, Monroe and Utassy all dented the twine, but Cal maintained its resolve by scoring four goals to secure the victory, 16-7.

Next up, the Wolverines will open up the home portion of their 2024 schedule on Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 27-28) when they host the Wolverine Invitational inside Canham Natatorium. Michigan's first game of the tournament will be against conference foe Saint Francis and is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.