TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State water polo emerged victorious in game one, but faltered in game two, to split their Saturday doubleheader against New York Athletic Club at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
Junior attacker Lena Mihailovic scored four goals in the fourth quarter of game one, en route to a 13-10 Sun Devil victory in the first of a four-game exhibition series against NYAC.
The Sun Devils finished the first game of the doubleheader with four unanswered goals, the first three of which were scored by Mihailovic, after falling behind 10-9 with 4:32 left in the fourth period.
An early 1-0 NYAC lead was quickly erased by the Sun Devils as Bente Rogge scored one of two first period goals for ASU sending the Devils into the first break holding a 2-1 lead.
ASU started strong in the second period, twice gaining a three-goal advantage thanks to a pair of Alkistis Benkou goals. NYAC responded to a quick start, cutting the Sun Devil lead to 5-4 by the end of the second period.
After a NYAC 5-meter penalty shot was successful at the beginning of the third period, senior center Benekou scored her third and final goal of the game to give the Sun Devils a 7-6 lead with 1:44 remaining in the period.
A back-and-forth start to the fourth period was highlighted by a successful power play from the Sun Devils on their first try of the day, a goal from Mihailovic assisted by sophomore attacker Catherine Simko. Mihailovic would later add a power play goal of her own as ASU finished a perfect 2-2 on the power play while NYAC finished 2-4 on power plays in game one.
Redshirt junior goalie Mia Rycraw was solid in net for the Sun Devils, making nine saves, including a crucial save late in the fourth quarter as NYAC had a chance to tie the score with a breakaway opportunity. In net for NYAC, goalie Matty Hurley made six saves, facing pressure from ASU's attack all game.
After being held to just one goal in the first period of game one, NYAC exploded for four goals in the first period of the second leg of Saturday's doubleheader, including a pair of goals from Tanya Gandy.
The Sun Devils managed to cut the NYAC lead to just two goals in the second period, spurred by a two-goal effort from Kayla Casas, sending the game to halftime with ASU trailing 5-3.
NYAC continued to press in the third period, pouring on ten shots, resulting in four goals, that sent the game to the fourth period with ASU trailing 9-5. The Sun Devils responded with a three-goal fourth, but it would not be enough as the visiting team would hold on for a 10-8 victory.
ASU will return to the pool tomorrow for a second doubleheader against NYAC. Game one is slated for a 10 a.m. start while game two is set for a noon whistle. Fans can follow all of the action on Twitter by following @ASUWaterPolo.
Junior attacker Lena Mihailovic scored four goals in the fourth quarter of game one, en route to a 13-10 Sun Devil victory in the first of a four-game exhibition series against NYAC.
The Sun Devils finished the first game of the doubleheader with four unanswered goals, the first three of which were scored by Mihailovic, after falling behind 10-9 with 4:32 left in the fourth period.
An early 1-0 NYAC lead was quickly erased by the Sun Devils as Bente Rogge scored one of two first period goals for ASU sending the Devils into the first break holding a 2-1 lead.
ASU started strong in the second period, twice gaining a three-goal advantage thanks to a pair of Alkistis Benkou goals. NYAC responded to a quick start, cutting the Sun Devil lead to 5-4 by the end of the second period.
After a NYAC 5-meter penalty shot was successful at the beginning of the third period, senior center Benekou scored her third and final goal of the game to give the Sun Devils a 7-6 lead with 1:44 remaining in the period.
A back-and-forth start to the fourth period was highlighted by a successful power play from the Sun Devils on their first try of the day, a goal from Mihailovic assisted by sophomore attacker Catherine Simko. Mihailovic would later add a power play goal of her own as ASU finished a perfect 2-2 on the power play while NYAC finished 2-4 on power plays in game one.
Redshirt junior goalie Mia Rycraw was solid in net for the Sun Devils, making nine saves, including a crucial save late in the fourth quarter as NYAC had a chance to tie the score with a breakaway opportunity. In net for NYAC, goalie Matty Hurley made six saves, facing pressure from ASU's attack all game.
After being held to just one goal in the first period of game one, NYAC exploded for four goals in the first period of the second leg of Saturday's doubleheader, including a pair of goals from Tanya Gandy.
The Sun Devils managed to cut the NYAC lead to just two goals in the second period, spurred by a two-goal effort from Kayla Casas, sending the game to halftime with ASU trailing 5-3.
NYAC continued to press in the third period, pouring on ten shots, resulting in four goals, that sent the game to the fourth period with ASU trailing 9-5. The Sun Devils responded with a three-goal fourth, but it would not be enough as the visiting team would hold on for a 10-8 victory.
ASU will return to the pool tomorrow for a second doubleheader against NYAC. Game one is slated for a 10 a.m. start while game two is set for a noon whistle. Fans can follow all of the action on Twitter by following @ASUWaterPolo.