Irvine, Calif. -- The fifth-ranked Arizona State Women's Water Polo Team split their second day of play at the 2017 Barbara Kalbus Invitational Saturday, falling to No. 4 California, before toping No. 8 Michigan Saturday at the UC Irvine Aquatic Center.
The Sun Devils ended the Saturday doubleheader with six players recording a goal, but were led by senior Alkistis Benekou who combined for four goals in the pair of top-10 matchups.
Goalie Mia Rycraw recorded another solid outing Saturday, combining for 20 total saves on the day.
GAME 1: ASU 4, CAL 10
In the first game of the day, the Sun Devils clashed with fourth-ranked California. ASU and Cal traded goals in the first quarter as Benekou was able to notch her first goal of the day in the first minute of play.
With the game deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the second, the Bears worked their way to an early goal, taking a 2-1 lead with 7:09 to play in the half. ASU would respond, as Lena Mihailovic and PJ Allin netted back-to-back goals to give the Sun Devils a narrow 3-2 lead with just under two minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Bears would fight back to score a pair of unanswered goals in the final minute of the half, sending the game to the break with Cal up 4-3.
Sophomore Maud Koopman recorded a goal for the Sun Devils in the third, but a three-goal effort by the Bears sent the game to the final quarter with California leading ASU 7-4. The Bears would rattle off three more goals in the fourth, to thwart the would be ASU comeback and seal the 10-4 victory for the Bears.
GAME 2: ASU 7, UM 6
In the second half of Saturday's doubleheader, the Sun Devils wasted no time, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead after the first quarter. This time it was Benekou and freshman Bente Rogge who got the scoring started for ASU.
Michigan finally answered back midway through the second, making it a 2-1 game with 3:30 left in the half, but a late goal by Stephanie Contreras refueled the Sun Devils' 2-goal lead heading to the break.
The Sun Devils added another goal in the first two minutes of the third, as Allin netted her second goal of the day to put the Devils up three, but Michigan would fire back-to-back goals to make it a one-goal game heading to the fourth.
ASU and Michigan traded goals to start the fourth, but a MU goal with 3:18 remaining in regulation proved to be crucial for the Wolverines as it forced the first overtime contest for the Sun Devils in the 2017 season.
After a hard fought first OT, it was Michigan who broke through with just two seconds remaining in the period, forcing ASU to respond in the final overtime period. THe Sun Devils would answer back as Mihailovic netted the equalizer with 2:04 left on the clock, but it was Benekou's backhanded goal with two seconds left that seaed the Sun Devil victory and marked the second top-10 victory for the Sun Devils in 2017.
With the win, No. 5 ASU advances to the fifth places game in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational where they will face UC Irvine. Sunday's game is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. AZT.
The Sun Devils ended the Saturday doubleheader with six players recording a goal, but were led by senior Alkistis Benekou who combined for four goals in the pair of top-10 matchups.
Goalie Mia Rycraw recorded another solid outing Saturday, combining for 20 total saves on the day.
GAME 1: ASU 4, CAL 10
In the first game of the day, the Sun Devils clashed with fourth-ranked California. ASU and Cal traded goals in the first quarter as Benekou was able to notch her first goal of the day in the first minute of play.
With the game deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the second, the Bears worked their way to an early goal, taking a 2-1 lead with 7:09 to play in the half. ASU would respond, as Lena Mihailovic and PJ Allin netted back-to-back goals to give the Sun Devils a narrow 3-2 lead with just under two minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Bears would fight back to score a pair of unanswered goals in the final minute of the half, sending the game to the break with Cal up 4-3.
Sophomore Maud Koopman recorded a goal for the Sun Devils in the third, but a three-goal effort by the Bears sent the game to the final quarter with California leading ASU 7-4. The Bears would rattle off three more goals in the fourth, to thwart the would be ASU comeback and seal the 10-4 victory for the Bears.
GAME 2: ASU 7, UM 6
In the second half of Saturday's doubleheader, the Sun Devils wasted no time, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead after the first quarter. This time it was Benekou and freshman Bente Rogge who got the scoring started for ASU.
Michigan finally answered back midway through the second, making it a 2-1 game with 3:30 left in the half, but a late goal by Stephanie Contreras refueled the Sun Devils' 2-goal lead heading to the break.
The Sun Devils added another goal in the first two minutes of the third, as Allin netted her second goal of the day to put the Devils up three, but Michigan would fire back-to-back goals to make it a one-goal game heading to the fourth.
ASU and Michigan traded goals to start the fourth, but a MU goal with 3:18 remaining in regulation proved to be crucial for the Wolverines as it forced the first overtime contest for the Sun Devils in the 2017 season.
After a hard fought first OT, it was Michigan who broke through with just two seconds remaining in the period, forcing ASU to respond in the final overtime period. THe Sun Devils would answer back as Mihailovic netted the equalizer with 2:04 left on the clock, but it was Benekou's backhanded goal with two seconds left that seaed the Sun Devil victory and marked the second top-10 victory for the Sun Devils in 2017.
With the win, No. 5 ASU advances to the fifth places game in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational where they will face UC Irvine. Sunday's game is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. AZT.