IRVINE, Calif. – A back-and-forth hard-fought battle at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational went the way of the Trojans as No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo fell to No. 3 USC, 8-6, Saturday afternoon at the UC Irvine Aquatic Center.
The Sun Devils return to action later today at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational when they take on tournament host No. 7 UC Irvine at 5:00 P.M. MST at UC Irvine Aquatic Center.
Julia Reyes put together a career performance, as the junior recorded a hat trick to pace the Sun Devil offensive attack. The Arizona State (10-3) defense held a potent USC offense to a their third-lowest goal total of their season. Mia Rycraw finished with 12 saves, her second consecutive double-digit save effort and her fifth on the season.
The contest would develop into a competitive affair after the tone was set in a tightly contested first period. ASU would strike first in the match, thanks to Bente Rogge goal with 4:31 remaining in the first. The USC (9-0) offense had several chances to tie it up, but Mia Rycraw managed to keep the Trojans scoreless until 35 seconds left in the period. The senior ended the first eight minutes with five saves to keep the game tied at one goal apiece.
An even first period continued into the second frame, as the Sun Devils and Trojans both attempted to control the pace of the game. After USC struck first, Lena Mihailovic recorded a goal to tie things back up at two. Mihailovic now has a goal in nine of the ten games she has played in this season. Later in the period, Julia Reyes scored a power play goal to knot the game at three. Reyes was effective all game, displaying a combination physicality and intelligence which led her to a career outing. The Trojans would take a 4-3 lead into halftime after scoring with five seconds left before the break.
Following the break, USC would take a 5-3 lead with a goal early in the third period. The Sun Devils would dominate the rest of the period, holding the Trojans offense scoreless over the final 6:08 of the period. Julia Reyes would score a pair of goals during that span to even the match up at five. With the three-goal performance, Reyes registered her second hat trick of the season.
A quick start to the fourth period allowed USC to jump out an 8-5 lead with 5:51 remaining in the match. One last comeback effort sparked by a Kayla Casas goal with a 2:32 remaining would eventually come up short as the Sun Devils fell to the No. 3 Trojans, 8-6.
The Sun Devils fall for just the third time this season, with all three coming against CWPA Top-5 teams. The two-goal margin of victory tied the lowest on the season for the Trojans.
The Sun Devils return to the pool continue the Barbara Kalbus Invitational at 5:00 P.M. MST when they take on tournament host No. 7 UC Irvine in a re-match from the UCSD Triton Invitational. The winner of the match will play for fifth place tommorow at 11:15 A.M. MST. Arizona State defeated the Anteaters, 8-7, on February 11th to capture third place at the Invitational. Visit our website for more updates and follow our social media all season long for content. Live stats will be available via TheFosh.net.
Goals: Reyes (3), Casas, Mihailovic, Rogge
Assists: Rogge (2)
Steals: Casas, Mihailovic, Rogge, Rycraw
Saves: Rycraw (12)
The Sun Devils return to action later today at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational when they take on tournament host No. 7 UC Irvine at 5:00 P.M. MST at UC Irvine Aquatic Center.
Julia Reyes put together a career performance, as the junior recorded a hat trick to pace the Sun Devil offensive attack. The Arizona State (10-3) defense held a potent USC offense to a their third-lowest goal total of their season. Mia Rycraw finished with 12 saves, her second consecutive double-digit save effort and her fifth on the season.
The contest would develop into a competitive affair after the tone was set in a tightly contested first period. ASU would strike first in the match, thanks to Bente Rogge goal with 4:31 remaining in the first. The USC (9-0) offense had several chances to tie it up, but Mia Rycraw managed to keep the Trojans scoreless until 35 seconds left in the period. The senior ended the first eight minutes with five saves to keep the game tied at one goal apiece.
An even first period continued into the second frame, as the Sun Devils and Trojans both attempted to control the pace of the game. After USC struck first, Lena Mihailovic recorded a goal to tie things back up at two. Mihailovic now has a goal in nine of the ten games she has played in this season. Later in the period, Julia Reyes scored a power play goal to knot the game at three. Reyes was effective all game, displaying a combination physicality and intelligence which led her to a career outing. The Trojans would take a 4-3 lead into halftime after scoring with five seconds left before the break.
Following the break, USC would take a 5-3 lead with a goal early in the third period. The Sun Devils would dominate the rest of the period, holding the Trojans offense scoreless over the final 6:08 of the period. Julia Reyes would score a pair of goals during that span to even the match up at five. With the three-goal performance, Reyes registered her second hat trick of the season.
A quick start to the fourth period allowed USC to jump out an 8-5 lead with 5:51 remaining in the match. One last comeback effort sparked by a Kayla Casas goal with a 2:32 remaining would eventually come up short as the Sun Devils fell to the No. 3 Trojans, 8-6.
The Sun Devils fall for just the third time this season, with all three coming against CWPA Top-5 teams. The two-goal margin of victory tied the lowest on the season for the Trojans.
The Sun Devils return to the pool continue the Barbara Kalbus Invitational at 5:00 P.M. MST when they take on tournament host No. 7 UC Irvine in a re-match from the UCSD Triton Invitational. The winner of the match will play for fifth place tommorow at 11:15 A.M. MST. Arizona State defeated the Anteaters, 8-7, on February 11th to capture third place at the Invitational. Visit our website for more updates and follow our social media all season long for content. Live stats will be available via TheFosh.net.
Goals: Reyes (3), Casas, Mihailovic, Rogge
Assists: Rogge (2)
Steals: Casas, Mihailovic, Rogge, Rycraw
Saves: Rycraw (12)