Feb. 22, 2009
IRVINE, Calif. - The No. 10 Arizona State University water polo team rallied to upset No. 5 California 11-10 on Sunday at the UC Irvine Invitational. The Sun Devils are now 9-4 on the season with the win, and they will play in the fifth-place game of the tournament later on Sunday.
Sophomore Nikki Unbehaun led the offense with four goals, marking the third time this season she has scored four goals in a game. Senior Addison McGrath extended her goal-scoring streak with three goals. She has scored in 18 straight games, dating back to the final five games of last season.
Freshman Mariam Salloum added two goals in the win, while junior Jennifer Campo and sophomore Lynlee Smith scored one goal each. Freshman goalie Dana Harvey finished with eight saves in the cage.
The Golden Bears jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first quarter, but the Sun Devils methodically chipped away at the deficit from there. They trailed 6-4 at the half and 9-8 after three, but outscored Cal 3-1 in the final quarter to secure the 11-10 victory. It was ASU's first win of the season when trailing after three quarters.
The Sun Devils will wrap up play at the UC Irvine Invitational against either No. 6 San Diego State or No. 8 San Jose State in the tournament's fifth-place game at 2:45 p.m. PT.
No. 10 Arizona State vs. No. 5 California
At UC Irvine Invitational - February 22
ASU 4-2-3-1=10
CAL 1-3-4-3=11
ASU Goals - Unbehaun 4, McGrath 3, Salloum 2, Campo, Smith
CAL Goals - Corso 3, Csikos 3, Oreglia 2, Scully, Vazeos