March 30, 2007
Score Sheet (pdf)
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 11 Arizona State University water polo team found itself in an early deficit before battling back to challenge the visiting No. 12 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, but, in the end, the visitors pulled out a 7-6 victory in an MPSF contest at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe, Ariz., Friday night. The loss dropped the Sun Devils to 5-10 overall on the year and 2-5 in the league while the Gauchos improved to 11-10 and 2-4 in the MPSF.
After both teams started slow with several ejections and turnovers, the visitors got on the board first as Amanda Tipton scored with 5:16 remaining in the first quarter. From there, UCSB's Gillian Morgan and Tipton would each add a goal for a 3-0 lead. With 2:40 remaining, Addison Doud collected the ball at set and rifled a back-hand shot into the net to cut the deficit. But, before the end of the quarter, UCSB's Morgan netted her second goal of the game to give the visitors a 4-1 lead.
The second stanza did not start off strong for the Sun Devils as the Guachos extended their lead to four goals with Morgan adding her third of the contest with 5:35 showing on the clock. After battling, the Sun Devils finally were rewarded as Doud hit on a quick attempt from around 5m out with 47 seconds remaining.
Following the intermission, ASU was first to strike as Ashley Bower connected on a lob from the outside just 1:38 into the stanza before again scoring on a quick hit while ASU was a player up (six on five) with 3:49 showing. Although the Sun Devils could not tie the game in the third, they did hold the visitors scoreless, keeping the score at 5-4.
The final stanza began with ASU scoring the equalizer at 6:09 as Doud collected her hat trick by turning and firing from set. Then, at the 4:25 mark, Bower picked up her third goal of the game as she skipped the ball in for the 6-5 lead. That goal for Bower was the 100th of her career, making her just the second Sun Devil to break the century mark in scoring along with teammate Katie Hedley (109) who did so earlier this season.
But, despite their efforts, the Sun Devils could not find the back of the net as UCSB's Lindsay Knott tied the game at six with 1:30 remaining before Lizzie Rouleau netted the winner with 27 seconds remaining.
Defensively, the Sun Devils were led by 12 saves from Caylinn Wallace while the Gauchos' Jenny Gonzalez halted nine ASU attempts.
ASU and UCSB will both take part in the ASU Invitational Saturday and Sunday at MoPAC and will be joined by No. 5 San Diego State, No. 18 Michigan, Cal Baptist and Redlands. The Sun Devils will play against Redlands at 10:15 a.m. before closing the day with a rematch against the Gauchos at 4:15 p.m.
#12 UC Santa Barbara defeats #11 Arizona State, 7-6
ASU Goals: Bower (3), Doud (3)
UCSB Goals: Morgan (3), Tipton (2), Knott, Rouleau
ASU Saves: Wallace (12)
UCSB Saves: Gonzales (9)