The Arizona State University water polo team went 1-1 on the opening day for the preseason USA Water Polo Collegiate Cup on Saturday in Irvine, Calif., picking up a victory over Long Beach State before falling to UCLA.
Recaps from the day’s action can be found below:
ASU 8, Long Beach State 2
Freshman Maud Koopman scored three goals and the Arizona State University water polo team cruised to an 8-2 victory over Long Beach State on Saturday in the opening match of the preseason USA Water Polo Collegiate Cup in Irvine, Calif.
The exhibition tournament featuring a number of the elite teams in the nation pitted the Sun Devils against an LBSU team that defeated ASU once last season and served as a perfect introductory game for a Sun Devil roster that features five new faces this season.
Those new faces were clearly up to task as Koopman’s fellow freshman Rosie Huck tallied two more goals in her collegiate debut. Seniors Daisy Carter and Abbey Kerth along with junior Stephanie Contreras notched ASU’s other goals in the contest. True freshman P.J. Allin assisted on two goals as well.
Mia Rycraw was impressive in the cage as she prepares to take on the goalkeeping reins following the departure of three-time All-American E.B. Keeve. Rycraw held the 49ers to just two goals after a scoreless first half and tabbed eight saves in the process.
The stingy Sun Devil defense held LBSU to 0-for-10 on the power play while the offense took advantage of the man advantage for three scores.
The 49ers had 22 shots in the contest, only 10 on goal, while turning the ball over to the Sun Devils seven times.
UCLA 8, ASU 4
The Sun Devils couldn’t capitalize on 12 of its 14 power play opportunities and dropped the second game of the day, 8-4, to UCLA.
Stephanie Contreras led the way with two scores in the game with Daisy Carter and Abbey Kerth each adding goals. Each of ASU’s four goals was assisted, showing the team’s ability to spread the ball around with four different players logging assists.
Mia Rycraw had seven saves and allowed seven goals to the defending MPSF Champions.
After falling behind, 5-0, in the middle of the second quarter, the Devils settled in and outscored the Bruins 4-3 over the remainder of the game but were unable to overcome the early hole in a period where ASU was 0-for-5 to start the game in 6-on-5 situations.
The Sun Devils will take on the loser of the Cal-UC Irvine game tomorrow at 8 a.m. PT as it continues the tournament with a chance to finish as high as fourth.
Live results will be available at http://live.thefosh.net through the second day of the competition.