March 16, 2013
TEMPE - The #3 Arizona State University water polo team put on a show for the nation on Saturday as it came back from two goals down to defeat #5 Cal, 10-9, in the first-ever women's water polo game on the Pac-12 Networks.
It was a back-and-forth affair throughout with the Sun Devils managing to stave off most of the Golden Bears' rallies in Berkeley, Calif., and led 7-5 midway through third quarter.
But Cal stormed back in a big way in front of a national audience, scoring the next four goals to take a 9-7 lead with 4:55 remaining in the game.
The Sun Devils weren't going quietly into the night, however, as Alicia Brightwell scored her fourth goal of the game to bring ASU back within a goal just 13 seconds later, setting up the equalizer from Amanda Young with a 6-on-5 advantage with 3:49 left.
The teams went scoreless for the next couple minutes before Petra Pardi found the back of the net for the game-winner on the power play with 1:15 left in the game.
E.B. Keeve did was she did best - stopping shots - as she logged 11 saves in the contest, none more important than one against All-American Emily Csikos in the waning minutes of the game to lock up the victory for the Sun Devils.
The win improved ASU to 15-4 on the season and 3-1 in MPSF competition. ASU has now defeated Cal in both contests this season and has won three of the last four against the Golden Bears.
The Sun Devils will be back in action tomorrow against #19 Pacific in Stockton, Calif. A win in that contest would match ASU's best start through 20 games in history - a mark set last year.
No. 3 Arizona State 10, No. 5 California 9
ASU 2 2 3 3 - 10
Cal 1 2 3 3 - 9
ASU Goals: Brightwell 4, Gao 2, Pardi 2, Kertes, Young
ASU Saves: Keeve 11
Cal Goals: Emily Csikos 4, Breda Vosters 2, Ashley Young 2, Dana Ochsner
Cal Saves: Savanna Smith 3