TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 5 Arizona State University water polo team took the lead early and never looked back as they knocked off No. 21 Loyola Marymount 11-3 to wrap up the second day at the ASU Cross Conference Challenge.
Arizona State (5-1) featured a balanced attack all game, where the team saw seven different players get into the scorebook. Junior attacker Maud Koopman led the Sun Devils in the scoring column as she recorded a hat trick, while also tallying an assists. Lena Mihailovic and PJ Allin added two goals apiece, while Julia Reyes, Alkistis Benekou, Kayla Casas and Rosie Huck rounded out the scoring.
Koopman's hat trick marked her third consecutive multi-goal game and fourth of the season, second to Benekou who leads the team with five.
Mihailovic started things off quickly, as she found the net to give the Sun Devils the lead early in the first. She wouldn't be done there, as she put pressure on the Lions defense all game. Allin would follow with a goal of her own, taking a 2-0 lead into the second frame.
The Sun Devils found some separation in the second period, going on a quick 3-0 run before LMU scored their first goal of the match. ASU would finish the period with five goals, with all five coming off the arms of a different attacker.
Loyola Marymount battled all match but never seemed to find their groove, as the Sun Devil defense would hold them to their third-lowest scoring total of the season. Those three goals allowed by ASU tied the season mark for goals allowed on the year.
"I was really pleased with the performance." Coach Clapper remarked. "I thought that this was one of our better defensive games. Michigan and this game have been our two best defensive efforts of the season so far."
Goalie Mia Rycraw displayed her dominance early in the match, as she held the Lions to only one goal in the first half. She would complete the match for the Sun Devils allowing just three goals, to go along with 10 saves and two steals.
The Sun Devils controlled the tempo in the second half, leading the Lions 4-2. In the two games played on Saturday, ASU outscored their opponent 9-3 in the second half.
"For four quarters they played great. Coach Clapper added. "They were working for each other on offense and defense. They were communicating much better then we communicated earlier in the day in that first half."
The Sun Devils return to action tomorrow as they compete in their last match at the ASU Cross Conference Challenge when they take on No. 16 UC San Diego at 11:30 a.m. MST. The Challenge returns to Mona Plummer Aquatic Center tomorrow, where you can find updates our Facebook or Twitter accounts or live stats via thefosh.net.
Goals: Koopman (3), Mihailovic (2), Allin (2), Reyes, Casas, Huck, Benekou
Assists: Mihailovic, Koopman, Rogge
Steals: Allin (3), Mihailovic (2), Koopman (2), Rycraw (2), Reyes, Rogge
Saves: Rycraw (10)