U-M Splits Pair of Matchups with No. 15 Princeton, No. 18 Harvard

Saturday, April 6

Lewisburg, Pa.

11:00 AM

Michigan

18-9, 4-2

Princeton

17-6, 6-0

Princeton

Michigan

Alex Brown (Michigan Photography)

U-M Splits Pair of Matchups with No. 15 Princeton, No. 18 Harvard

4/6/2024 8:43:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Alex Whisnant

Site: Lewisburg, Pa. (Kinney Natatorium)
Scores: #15 Princeton 12, #11 Michigan 9; #11 Michigan 9, #18 Harvard 6
Records: U-M (19-9, 5-2 CWPA), Princeton (18-6, 7-0 CWPA), Harvard (10-11, 3-4 CWPA)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 7 -- vs. #22 Brown (Lewisburg, Pa.), 9 a.m.

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan water polo team battled in two conference matchups on Saturday (April 6) at Kinney Natatorium, falling to No. 15 Princeton 12-9 and topping 18th-ranked Harvard by a score of 9-6.

Emma Gustafsson and Kata Utassy led the way on offense in the first game of the day against Princeton as both players notched a hat trick. Kaia Levenfeld also tallied a three-point game on one goal and two assists. Lola Ciruli and Sammi Monroe also chipped in two helpers each. Issy Jackson and Elise Walker rounded out the Maize and Blue scorers. In goal, Alex Brown registered 10 saves and dished out an assist in the loss.

Princeton (18-6, 7-0 CWPA) got on the board first at the 7:06 mark before Gustafsson quickly answered to tie the game at one in the opening quarter. The Tigers responded with two straight goals followed by Levenfeld and Gustafsson finding the back of the net to tie it at three. The Tigers scored with 19 ticks left to take a 4-3 lead into the second quarter.

The Tigers added another 35 seconds into the second quarter to restore their multi-goal edge, 5-3. Nearly four minutes passed before the next goal as Utassy found some space and fired the ball past the Princeton goalie to make it a one-goal game. Princeton outscored Michigan 3-1 over the final 2:23 of the quarter to establish an 8-5 halftime lead.

Both teams stood their ground defensively in the third quarter with Princeton scoring three goals and Michigan (19-9 5-2 CWPA) denting the twine twice. Utassy and Walker were responsible for the offense in the frame as Princeton extended its lead to 11-7 with eight minutes to go. Gustafsson and Utassy found paydirt in the fourth quarter as Michigan looked to make a comeback, but Princeton held firm and moved to 7-0 in conference play with a 12-9 win.

Ciruli and Utassy were the leading scorers in the bounce-back win over Harvard (10-11, 3-4 CWPA) as both Wolverines tallied three points apiece with two goals and one assist. Monroe logged a two-point performance with a score and a helper. Libby Alsemgeest, Gustafsson, Levenfeld and Walker each scored once while Ashley O'Neill notched her first point of the day with an assist. Brown turned in a stellar performance in goal with 14 saves.

The first quarter set the tone for the match with three total goals in the period. Gustafsson and Utassy each found the back of the net once, while Harvard tallied one score. The Crimson outscored U-M by two, 3-1, in the second quarter to vault in front at the half, 4-3.

The third quarter mirrored the first with the Wolverines scoring two goals while only allowing one. Ciruli and Levenfeld added a tally each to tie the game at five heading to the final frame. Michigan scored four to pull away from Harvard as Ciruli gave U-M its first lead of the game at 5:32 in period, and the Wolverines never looked back. Alsemgeest, Monroe and Utassy each scored to provide some insurance; Harvard added a tally late, but it was not enough as the Maize and Blue secured the 9-6 win.

Michigan will wrap up its weekend in Kinney Natatorium on Sunday (April 7) with a meeting with No. 22 Brown at 9 a.m.