TEMPE – After giving up an early lead to No. 16 Wagner, the No. 9 Arizona State University water polo team closed strong and defeated the Seahawks, 8-6, finishing off the ASU Invitational undefeated.
The Sun Devils opened the final day of their invitational with another efficient offensive effort, beginning with a four goals in the first half.
Daisy Carter was dominant in the Sun Devil win, scoring twice and leading ASU with three steals. The senior also had an assist to Abbey Kerth that lead to her late goal in the third to give the Sun Devils the 6-5 lead going into the final quarter of play.
As they did yesterday, numerous Sun Devils joined Carter on the score sheet. Both Kerth and Katie Svercheck scored twice. Maud Koopman and Ao Gao scored once, with an assist from Gao as well.
Wagner has some strong offenders, but that didn’t stop the ASU defense. Mia Rycraw played the entire game in the cage for ASU and stopped ten shots and her defenders blocked numerous attempts as well.
The Seahawks scored four goals in the third quarter tying things at 5-5 with 1:59 remaining in the quarter. Kerth’s second goal put ASU back up 6-5 heading to the fourth but Wagner quickly responded on Jess Lundgren’s second goal with 6:01 remaining in the game.
The ASU defense clamped down then though, holding the Seahawks scoreless for the remainder of the game. Koopman got on the board with the go-ahead goal at the 4:47 mark to make it a 7-6 game.
The Devils forced three straight Seahawk turnovers after that goal, two from Gao and one from Koopman and the Devils struck the dagger home on Carter’s final goal with 1:26 remaining.
ASU (10-4) will continue its season with the next stage of the ASU Invitational next weekend (March 18-20) against Michigan, Pacific, Marist and Pomona.