Feb. 10, 2008
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Coming off an upset over No. 2 USC earlier in the day, the No. 10 Arizona State University water polo team kept the momentum going as it raced out to an early lead before holding on for a 9-6 defeat of No. 13 Michigan to capture seventh place in the Stanford Invitational Sunday afternoon in Palo Alto, Calif. The Sun Devils improved to 8-3 on the year while the Wolverines fell to 2-6.
For the second game in a row, the Sun Devils shut their opponents out, this time taking a 2-0 lead over the Wolverines through one quarter of play. ASU extended its lead to 5-1 at halftime before taking a 9-3 lead into the final stanza. In the final quarter of play, the Wolverines scored three times while holding ASU scoreless, but it was not enough as the Sun Devils won, 9-6.
Kelly Phelps picked up her second hat trick of the season and led all scorers with three goals while rookie Candice Phillipe netted a pair of goals. Seniors Traci Aparicio and Katy Lawlor each added a score, as did Amanda Stepp and Addison McGrath. Defensively, senior goalie Caylinn Wallace stopped 15 shots to preserve the victory.
The Sun Devils will open their home season in the coming days, starting first with a rematch against the No. 2 USC Trojans at noon on Sunday, February 17, at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. Three days later, the Sun Devils and No. 4 Hawaii will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, also at MoPAC. Both games will count toward the MPSF league standings.
#10 Arizona State vs. #13 Michigan
at Stanford Invitational February 10
AS - 2 - 3 - 4 - 0 = 9
UM - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 = 6
AS Goals - Phelps 3, Phillipe 2, Aparicio, Lawlor, McGrath, Stepp
UM Goals - Robertson 2, Bjorkman, Bukofzer, Chatigny, Hyrne
AS Saves - Wallace 15
UM Saves - Gero 5