IRVINE, Calif. – Coming off a third-place finish at the UCSD Triton Invitational, the No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo team defeated No. 15 UC San Diego, 9-3, in their first match of the 2018 Barbara Kalbus Invitational.
With the victory, the Sun Devils will advance to face No. 3 USC (8-0) in winner's bracket competition with a spot in the Invitational semifinals on the line. The Sun Devils picked up their 10 win over a CWPA Top-25 team while moving to 7-1 in neutral matches on the season.
The Sun Devils (10-2) put forth a tremendous defense effort, holding the Tritons to three goals which matches the least amount of goals allowed by the team this season. Goalie Mia Rycraw was brilliant all afternoon, as the MPSF's leader in saves (88) added 13 more to her total thanks to the dominating outing.
Six different Sun Devils entered the scoring column, led by Bente Rogge who finished the match with a hat trick. She now has eight multi-goal performances on the season. Maud Koopman contributed a pair of goals to push her season multi-goal games total to eight, which is now tied with Alkistis Benekou for the team lead.
With offense coming at a premium early, Arizona State was looking for a spark to establish some attacking momentum. Bente Rogge stepped up early in the game and provided the Sun Devils a crucial scoring punch. The sophomore scored two of her three goals in the first period, helping ASU build a 3-2 lead at the end of the first period.
The Sun Devils would strike first in the second period, this time courtesy of Lena Mihailovic. She beat the goalie with 4:35 left before the half, giving her at least one goal in eight of the nine games she has played this season. Later in the period, Julia Reyes whipped one pass the goaltender to extend the lead to 5-2. Continuing her outstanding performance, Bente Rogge tallied her third goal of the game to give ASU a 6-2 lead. Rogge registered her second hat trick of the season and fourth consecutive multi-goal performance.
Arizona State's defense, headed by Mia Rycraw, would control the rest of the second period. From the 4:14 mark in the first period to the 7:00 minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils would hold the Tritons scoreless. During that span, the Sun Devils scored five unanswered goals to take a commanding 7-2 lead.
Part of the run included a pair of goals for Maud Koopman, who now has a goal in eight of her last nine games. Rycraw continued to play outstanding in net, frustrating the Triton attack on several occasions with highlight reel saves. Freshman Meghan Beaudet got in on the scoring action with a fourth period goal, helping the Sun Devils defeat the Tritons by a score of 9-3.
Up next, the Sun Devils advance to the winner's bracket of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. On Saturday at 12:45 P.M. MST, ASU will take on No. 3 USC with a spot in the Invitational semifinals on the line. No. 3 USC won their opening round match at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, 17-1, over No. 18 San Jose State. Follow our social media accounts for updates and visit our website for more information.
Goals: Rogge (3), Koopman (2), Huck, Reyes, Beaudet, Mihailovic
Assists: Casas, Allin, Koopman
Steals: Mihailovic (2), Koopman (2), Rogge (2), Simko, Huck, Waters, Reyes, Casas
Saves: Rycraw (13)
With the victory, the Sun Devils will advance to face No. 3 USC (8-0) in winner's bracket competition with a spot in the Invitational semifinals on the line. The Sun Devils picked up their 10 win over a CWPA Top-25 team while moving to 7-1 in neutral matches on the season.
The Sun Devils (10-2) put forth a tremendous defense effort, holding the Tritons to three goals which matches the least amount of goals allowed by the team this season. Goalie Mia Rycraw was brilliant all afternoon, as the MPSF's leader in saves (88) added 13 more to her total thanks to the dominating outing.
Six different Sun Devils entered the scoring column, led by Bente Rogge who finished the match with a hat trick. She now has eight multi-goal performances on the season. Maud Koopman contributed a pair of goals to push her season multi-goal games total to eight, which is now tied with Alkistis Benekou for the team lead.
With offense coming at a premium early, Arizona State was looking for a spark to establish some attacking momentum. Bente Rogge stepped up early in the game and provided the Sun Devils a crucial scoring punch. The sophomore scored two of her three goals in the first period, helping ASU build a 3-2 lead at the end of the first period.
The Sun Devils would strike first in the second period, this time courtesy of Lena Mihailovic. She beat the goalie with 4:35 left before the half, giving her at least one goal in eight of the nine games she has played this season. Later in the period, Julia Reyes whipped one pass the goaltender to extend the lead to 5-2. Continuing her outstanding performance, Bente Rogge tallied her third goal of the game to give ASU a 6-2 lead. Rogge registered her second hat trick of the season and fourth consecutive multi-goal performance.
Arizona State's defense, headed by Mia Rycraw, would control the rest of the second period. From the 4:14 mark in the first period to the 7:00 minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils would hold the Tritons scoreless. During that span, the Sun Devils scored five unanswered goals to take a commanding 7-2 lead.
Part of the run included a pair of goals for Maud Koopman, who now has a goal in eight of her last nine games. Rycraw continued to play outstanding in net, frustrating the Triton attack on several occasions with highlight reel saves. Freshman Meghan Beaudet got in on the scoring action with a fourth period goal, helping the Sun Devils defeat the Tritons by a score of 9-3.
Up next, the Sun Devils advance to the winner's bracket of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. On Saturday at 12:45 P.M. MST, ASU will take on No. 3 USC with a spot in the Invitational semifinals on the line. No. 3 USC won their opening round match at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, 17-1, over No. 18 San Jose State. Follow our social media accounts for updates and visit our website for more information.
Goals: Rogge (3), Koopman (2), Huck, Reyes, Beaudet, Mihailovic
Assists: Casas, Allin, Koopman
Steals: Mihailovic (2), Koopman (2), Rogge (2), Simko, Huck, Waters, Reyes, Casas
Saves: Rycraw (13)