SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The No. 6 Arizona State University water polo team fell to No. 4 UCLA, 7-6, in a semifinal matchup at the UCSD Triton Invitational Sunday afternoon at Triton Pool.
Arizona State (8-2) moves on to face No. 7 UC Irvine with a chance at Bronze in the third-place match later this evening at 5:30 P.M. MST. ASU suffers only their second defeat of the season, both of which came against CWPA Top-5 teams.
With two of the best defensive teams in the country, it was no surprise that the contest would develop into a low-scoring, back-and-forth affair. Goalie Mia Rycraw and the Sun Devil defending unit would shine early and often in this one, keeping the game competitive with aggressive and opportunistic play. The senior recorded her third double-digit save performance on the season.
In a game where goals would come at a premium, Bente Rogge came through in a big way with a pair of clutch goals to give the Sun Devils a second period lead. That second period lead would turn into a rare halftime deficit for the Bruins, as they trailed ASU 3-2 at the break. This would represent the first time UCLA (12-0) had trailed at half on the season.
After just seven goals were scored through the first two periods, both offenses combined for six goals in the final period in which the lead changed on several occasions. UCLA would score with 10 seconds remaining to go ahead for good, capturing the victory by a 7-6 final score.
Both teams struggled early to find openings and breakdown the opposition. UCLA would tally the only score of the first eight minutes, holding a 1-0 lead after the first period.
The Sun Devils offense found its form in midway through the second, courtesy of Bente Rogge. The sophomore notched her sixth multi-goal game on the year, scoring a pair of goals to put Arizona State ahead for the first time. With the Sun Devils now up a goal, Lena Mihailovic found the back of the net to extend the ASU lead to 3-1 with 3:25 remaining in the second period. UCLA would add a goal late in the period, but the Sun Devils would be the ones to hold a 3-2 lead heading into the break.
As was the case in the first half, UCLA would open the scoring in the second to tie the game at three. Neither offense could muster any momentum the remainder of the period until 12 seconds remained in the period. Maud Koopman would step up and record a huge goal, providing Arizona State with a 4-3 lead at the end of three.
UCLA would come out strong in the final period, scoring a pair of goals early to regain the lead. Trailing 5-4, the Sun Devils needed an answer with only two minutes remaining. Senior Kayla Casas provided that, as she netted a crucial goal to even the score at five. In a crazy sequence of events, UCLA would once again re-claim the lead, now leading 6-5. It did not take the Sun Devils long to respond, as Maud Koopman sent one past the goalie to knot things back up at 6. The Bruins scored a goal with 10 seconds left to grab the lead back and the victory.
The Sun Devils now advance to the UCSD Triton Invitational third-place game, where they will face their third consecutive Top-10 team. ASU will take on No. 7 UC Irvine later today at 5:30 P.M. MST in Triton Pool. Stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook accounts and check out our website for more information.
Goals: Koopman (2), Rogge (2), Mihailovic, Casas
Assists: Allin (2), Reyes, Rogge
Steals: Koopman, Mihailovic, Rogge, Reyes, Rycraw
Saves: Rycraw (10)
Arizona State (8-2) moves on to face No. 7 UC Irvine with a chance at Bronze in the third-place match later this evening at 5:30 P.M. MST. ASU suffers only their second defeat of the season, both of which came against CWPA Top-5 teams.
With two of the best defensive teams in the country, it was no surprise that the contest would develop into a low-scoring, back-and-forth affair. Goalie Mia Rycraw and the Sun Devil defending unit would shine early and often in this one, keeping the game competitive with aggressive and opportunistic play. The senior recorded her third double-digit save performance on the season.
In a game where goals would come at a premium, Bente Rogge came through in a big way with a pair of clutch goals to give the Sun Devils a second period lead. That second period lead would turn into a rare halftime deficit for the Bruins, as they trailed ASU 3-2 at the break. This would represent the first time UCLA (12-0) had trailed at half on the season.
After just seven goals were scored through the first two periods, both offenses combined for six goals in the final period in which the lead changed on several occasions. UCLA would score with 10 seconds remaining to go ahead for good, capturing the victory by a 7-6 final score.
Both teams struggled early to find openings and breakdown the opposition. UCLA would tally the only score of the first eight minutes, holding a 1-0 lead after the first period.
The Sun Devils offense found its form in midway through the second, courtesy of Bente Rogge. The sophomore notched her sixth multi-goal game on the year, scoring a pair of goals to put Arizona State ahead for the first time. With the Sun Devils now up a goal, Lena Mihailovic found the back of the net to extend the ASU lead to 3-1 with 3:25 remaining in the second period. UCLA would add a goal late in the period, but the Sun Devils would be the ones to hold a 3-2 lead heading into the break.
As was the case in the first half, UCLA would open the scoring in the second to tie the game at three. Neither offense could muster any momentum the remainder of the period until 12 seconds remained in the period. Maud Koopman would step up and record a huge goal, providing Arizona State with a 4-3 lead at the end of three.
UCLA would come out strong in the final period, scoring a pair of goals early to regain the lead. Trailing 5-4, the Sun Devils needed an answer with only two minutes remaining. Senior Kayla Casas provided that, as she netted a crucial goal to even the score at five. In a crazy sequence of events, UCLA would once again re-claim the lead, now leading 6-5. It did not take the Sun Devils long to respond, as Maud Koopman sent one past the goalie to knot things back up at 6. The Bruins scored a goal with 10 seconds left to grab the lead back and the victory.
The Sun Devils now advance to the UCSD Triton Invitational third-place game, where they will face their third consecutive Top-10 team. ASU will take on No. 7 UC Irvine later today at 5:30 P.M. MST in Triton Pool. Stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook accounts and check out our website for more information.
Goals: Koopman (2), Rogge (2), Mihailovic, Casas
Assists: Allin (2), Reyes, Rogge
Steals: Koopman, Mihailovic, Rogge, Reyes, Rycraw
Saves: Rycraw (10)