Michigan Routs Salem on Day One of Indiana Classic

Saturday, February 17

Bloomington, Ind.

3:30 PM

Michigan

7-5

Salem

3-12

Michigan

Salem University

Jordan Schneider (Michigan Photography)

2/17/2024 6:09:00 PM | Water Polo

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By: Alex Whisnant

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan water polo team started fast and never looked back, cruising past Salem 17-1 to open the Indiana Classic on Saturday (Feb. 17) at Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.

It was the freshmen who led the way offensively for U-M, highlighted by Emma Gustafsson scored four goals and dished out two assists for a team-high six points. Kaia Levenfeld found the back of the net three times. Emilia Mladjan, Sophia Panossian and Jordan Schneider each added a tally, and Jillian Schlom chipped in two assists. Libby Alsemgeest kept her offensive hot streak going, scoring three times in the first quarter. The Wolverines were stout defensively, allowing just one goal on 14 shot attempts and racking up 17 steals. All three active goalies saw time in net in the win, and Grace Walsh paced the bunch with five saves.

Levenfeld got the Wolverines on the board quickly at the 7:25 mark in the first quarter to vault Michigan in front 1-0. Alsemgeest went on her own 3-0 scoring run, powering the Wolverines to a commanding 4-0 advantage with 4:34 to go in the quarter. Goals by Monroe and Ashley O'Neill closed out a strong opening frame to put the Maize and Blue up 6-0 after eight minutes of play.

In the second quarter, it was Gustafsson's turn to have the hot hand offensively. After a score by Sophia Panossian put U-M up seven, Gustafsson scored the next three before Salem scored its first of the afternoon to make the halftime score 10-1.

Gustafsson maintained her momentum in the early portion of the third quarter, scoring with 7:30 to go in the period to extend the lead even further at 11-1. Gustafsson's score triggered a 7-0 run to close out the contest with five different Wolverines finding paydirt to easily seal the 17-1 win.

Michigan's first scheduled contest Saturday against Saint Francis (Pa.) was canceled due to Red Flash travel issues.

U-M will be back in action on Sunday (Feb. 18) for the second day of the Indiana Classic when it takes on Iona at 9:15 a.m. inside Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.