Michigan Defeated by No. 5 Cal After Hard-Fought Second Half

Saturday, January 17

Fresno, Calif.

12:30 PM PT

Michigan

0-2, 0-0

Cal

1-0, 0-0

California

Michigan

Claire Eusey (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Defeated by No. 5 Cal After Hard-Fought Second Half

1/17/2026 6:25:00 PM | Water Polo

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By: Kaylie Karsch

FRESNO, Calif. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan water polo team fell 23-18 to No. 5 Cal after a hard-fought match on Saturday (Jan. 17) in its second contest at Polopalooza at the Fresno State Aquatics Center. After a slow-paced first half, the Wolverines capitalized on their offensive opportunities and kept it tight throughout the second, but it was not enough to overcome the Bears.

Emma Gustafsson dominated for U-M (0-2) with five goals and two assists. Captains Riley Chapple (four goals, one assist) and Brooke Ingram (three goals) also stood out for the Wolverines.

After a slow defensive start, Michigan quickly fell behind 8-3 to the Bears (1-0) in the first quarter. Ingram and Chapple initiated the scoring for the Wolverines, with Kaia Levenfeld adding the third goal off a penalty shot to close out the first.

The Wolverines started the second period by conceding three goals, but after a big shot from Ari Karampetsou, they gained back some offensive momentum. Gustafsson and Ingram each added another score to their total, mixed in with more Cal goals. Harriet Dickens closed out the Wolverines' first-half scoring, firing a long shot past the Cal goalkeeper on the power play. Despite the tally, Michigan trailed 13-7 at the half.

In the second half, U-M picked up its offensive pursuit, recording six goals in the third period. Issy Jackson put herself on the board, quickly followed by Chapple, and then by back-to-back goals from Gustafsson. With just over a minute in the third, Karampetsou recorded another score, cutting the Cal lead to four, 17-13.

In a thrilling fourth period, Jackson, Gustafsson, and Chapple combined for five goals, yet it was not enough to catch Cal, which tallied six scores of its own to close out the game.

U-M will conclude play at Polopalooza on Sunday (Jan. 18) at 9:30 a.m. PT, when it takes on No. 4-ranked Hawaii at the Fresno State Aquatics Center. The game will be streamed live on Overnght.