TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 5 Arizona State women's water polo team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday as the Sun Devils fell to No. 6 Hawaii, 10-9, in their second game of the ASU Cross Conference Challenge.
The Sun Devils (4-1) were led by Kayla Casas, Alkistis Benekou and Maud Koopman, who all scored two goals apiece. Goalkeeper Mia Rycraw posted seven saves and a steal on the day as well, while P.J. Allin added three assists and Bente Rogge dished out two.
ASU struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, facing a 9-4 deficit heading into the halftime. The Sun Devils came out strong in the third period and nearly pulled off an incredible comeback, outscoring Hawaii 5-1 in the second half.
Koopman proved to be the spark for the Sun Devils after halftime, scoring both of her goals in the third period. Both goals were unassisted, the second of which cut Hawaii's lead to 10-6.
Later in the period, Benekou found the back of the net with 48 seconds remaining in the third period for her second goal of the match, cutting ASU's deficit down to three goals. Benekou has recorded a multi-goal outing in all five games this season, boasting a team-high 14 goals in the 2018 campaign.
It took Arizona State just over three minutes into the fourth period to score again, a goal by Allin that came off Rogge's second assist of the contest. Lena Mihailovic netted the Sun Devils' final goal of the game with 13 seconds remaining. On the subsequent possession, Hawaii ran out the rest of clock to take home the victory. ASU would hold the Rainbow Wahine scoreless over the final 10:53 of the game.
Arizona State is now 1-1 during the ASU Cross Conference Challenge. The Sun Devils will look to bounce back in their second game of the day, when they face off against No. 21 Loyola Marymount this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. The match, along with the rest of Saturday's matches, will take place at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex. Follow along on our Twitter and Facebook accounts or live stats via thefosh.net.
Goals: Benekou (2), Casas (2), Koopman (2), Reyes, Mihailovic, Allin
Assists: Allin (3), Rogge (2), Mihailovic
Steals: Mihailovic (3), Rogge, Reyes, Allin
Saves: Rycraw (6)
The Sun Devils (4-1) were led by Kayla Casas, Alkistis Benekou and Maud Koopman, who all scored two goals apiece. Goalkeeper Mia Rycraw posted seven saves and a steal on the day as well, while P.J. Allin added three assists and Bente Rogge dished out two.
ASU struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, facing a 9-4 deficit heading into the halftime. The Sun Devils came out strong in the third period and nearly pulled off an incredible comeback, outscoring Hawaii 5-1 in the second half.
Koopman proved to be the spark for the Sun Devils after halftime, scoring both of her goals in the third period. Both goals were unassisted, the second of which cut Hawaii's lead to 10-6.
Later in the period, Benekou found the back of the net with 48 seconds remaining in the third period for her second goal of the match, cutting ASU's deficit down to three goals. Benekou has recorded a multi-goal outing in all five games this season, boasting a team-high 14 goals in the 2018 campaign.
It took Arizona State just over three minutes into the fourth period to score again, a goal by Allin that came off Rogge's second assist of the contest. Lena Mihailovic netted the Sun Devils' final goal of the game with 13 seconds remaining. On the subsequent possession, Hawaii ran out the rest of clock to take home the victory. ASU would hold the Rainbow Wahine scoreless over the final 10:53 of the game.
Arizona State is now 1-1 during the ASU Cross Conference Challenge. The Sun Devils will look to bounce back in their second game of the day, when they face off against No. 21 Loyola Marymount this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. The match, along with the rest of Saturday's matches, will take place at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex. Follow along on our Twitter and Facebook accounts or live stats via thefosh.net.
Goals: Benekou (2), Casas (2), Koopman (2), Reyes, Mihailovic, Allin
Assists: Allin (3), Rogge (2), Mihailovic
Steals: Mihailovic (3), Rogge, Reyes, Allin
Saves: Rycraw (6)