TEMPE, Ariz. – No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo picked up three victories today as part of the ASU Invitational. Read a recap of the final two matches of the day below:
Sun Devils 15, Pomona-Pitzer 6
The No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo wrapped up the annual ASU Invitational with a 15-6 victory over Pomona-Pitzer at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center Saturday evening.
With the victory, the Sun Devils (14-4) moved to 3-0 on the only day they will be competing at the ASU Invitational. ASU also moved to 6-1 at home this season and remained undefeated at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, with their only home loss coming at Sun Devil Fitness Center.
"The team did a nice job. Mia (Rycraw) was really great in goal. She was really our backbone of our defense" Coach Clapper said. "On the offensive end, we struggled at times at the beginning of games, but to the team's credit they made a lot of adjustments and by the end of the game they were doing a good job of setting up their teammates."
The Sun Devils offense was clicking on all cylinders from the initial whistle in this one, as eight different players finished the night with at least one goal. Rosie Huck was a standout throughout the match, as the junior compiled a career-high five goals against the Sagehens. Huck became the first Sun Devil this season to score over five goals. She had plenty of help on the offensive end today, including Maud Koopman who notched her first four-goal game of the season.
Arizona State controlled the action during the first eight minutes, finding themselves ahead 6-0 at the end of one. Julia Reyes would open up the scoring in the match for the Sun Devils, followed shortly after by Maud Koopman who cashed in on a feed from Kayla Casas to extend the ASU lead to 2-0. Rosie Huck would take over the rest of the period, as the center could not be stopped by the Pomona-Pitzer defense. Huck scored three goals over the final 3:37 of the first period to help spot the Sun Devils to a 6-0 advantage. Goalie Mia Rycraw picked up where she left off in the previous two matches, as the senior goalkeeper did not allow a goal and recorded four saves in her one period of action.
The second period would feature much of the same, as the Sun Devil offense found a groove and maintained a high-level of play allowing them to get out to a 12-3 lead at the half. Goalie Belen Ehinger would replace Mia Rycraw to begin the second period, a valuable opportunity for the freshman to gain more experience. She was helped out by a relentless offensive effort, led by Rosie Huck and Maud Koopman. Huck, Koopman, and Mihailovic would each score unanswered goals to push the Sun Devil lead to 9-1. Later in the period, freshman Layla Waters would register her first career goal, scoring a power play goal to make it 10-2 ASU.
Coach Todd Clapper would take advantage of a healthy 12-3 halftime advantage to rotate in athletes to accelerate their growth and allow them to gain more experience. Kate Cassidy was one of those players that took great advantage of the increased playing time, as she scored her first career goal late in the third period to give the Sun Devils a 15-4 lead through three.
"Those players are working really hard so it is good for them to get in there" Coach Clapper remarked. "When they have gotten opportunities earlier in the season to play, they some of the nerves were there. Now, it is good to see them feeling a little more comfortable there on the offensive end and wanting to score goals."
Amira Van Buren would open up the scoring in the second half for the Sun Devils, continuing her strong play on the day. Rosie Huck added yet another goal before Kate Cassidy found the back of the net as mentioned above to provide the Sun Devils a 15-4 lead through three.
Goalie Sophia Burgess would replace Belen Ehinger in net midway through the final period, with the Sun Devils leading the Sagehens 15-5. Burgess would finish the game in net, recording three saves to allow ASU to cruise to a 15-6 victory in the nightcap of the ASU Invitational.
ASU Invitational Highlights (Three Games):
Up next, the Sun Devils will compete in a pair of exhibition matches tomorrow at 12:00 & 1:00 P.M. in which teams will rotate playing each other with an opportunity to practice specific situations. Arizona State returns to the pool next weekend as they will host T-No. 1 California in their MPSF opener at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Stayed tuned to our website all week and follow us on our social media platforms for content throughout the season.
Goals: Huck (5), Koopman (4), Van Buren, Waters, Reyes, Cassidy, Benekou, Mihailovic
Assists: Koopman (3), Van Buren, Cassidy
Steals: Allin, Koopman
Saves: Rycraw (4), Burgess (3), Ehinger (2)
Sun Devils 14, Fresno State 3
No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo picked up a dominating 14-3 victory over No. 25 Fresno State in their second match of the ASU Invitational Saturday afternoon at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
The 11-goal margin of victory represents the largest on the season and was the second win by double-figures on the day. 12 of the 14 wins for the Sun Devils this season have come against teams currently ranked in the CWPA Top 25. This was the first matchup ever between these two teams, as Fresno State is currently in their inaugural season with the program established last year.
The Sun Devil defense continued to put pressure on opposing offenses, as they held the Bulldogs until 2:17 left in the first half. Mia Rycraw was once again the anchor of that imposing defense, as the senior recorded nine saves after recording a season-high 16 earlier in the day. Rycraw has reached the double-figure saves plateau in 6 of her last 8 matches. The offense had several contributors, featuring Rosie Huck and Lena Mihailovic who each finished with four goals apiece. Amira Van Buren registered her first career hat trick after putting together a three-goal performance.
A slow first period of action picked up when Alkistis Benekou beat the Bulldogs goaltender to put the Sun Devils on the board to give them a 1-0 lead. Amira Van Buren would convert on a 6-on-5 opportunity to give ASU a 2-0 lead at the end of the first eight minutes.
Two consecutive goals from Lena Mihailovic would extend the Sun Devil lead to 4-0. Rosie Huck would tally the first of many goals to come, pushing ASU ahead 5-0 midway through the second period. Mia Rycraw would keep Fresno State off the board until a late goal with 2:17 left before the half trimmed the Sun Devil lead to 5-1. Alkistis Benekou would score her second goal of the match with 22 second left in the first half to spot the Sun Devils a 6-1 lead at the break.
The second half was much of the same, as Arizona State dominated both ends in a balanced effort. After Rosie Huck opened the scoring in the half for ASU, Amira Van Buren would step up on her way to a career performance. The freshman scored two goals over the final 2:53 of the third period to capture her first ever hat trick.
With the Sun Devils leading 10-2 at the end of three, Lena Mihailovic would put the game out of reach with a pair of goals in the first minute of the final period. Rosie Huck would take over from there, as she scored the final two goals of the game for the Sun Devils to give her a total of four on the night. Goalie Belen Ehinger would relieve Mia Rycraw in net midway through the final period with the Sun Devils leading 12-2. Ehinger would finish out the game and keep Arizona State in front helping them win by their largest margin of the season, 14-3.
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @SunDevilWP | Facebook: Sun Devil Water Polo | Instagram: @SunDevilWaterPolo
Goals: Huck (4), Mihailovic (4), Van Buren (3), Benekou (2), Casas
Assists: Rogge, Koopman, Mihailovic, Casas, Allin
Steals: Casas, Allin, Koopman
Saves: Rycraw (9), Ehinger
Sun Devils 15, Pomona-Pitzer 6
The No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo wrapped up the annual ASU Invitational with a 15-6 victory over Pomona-Pitzer at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center Saturday evening.
With the victory, the Sun Devils (14-4) moved to 3-0 on the only day they will be competing at the ASU Invitational. ASU also moved to 6-1 at home this season and remained undefeated at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, with their only home loss coming at Sun Devil Fitness Center.
"The team did a nice job. Mia (Rycraw) was really great in goal. She was really our backbone of our defense" Coach Clapper said. "On the offensive end, we struggled at times at the beginning of games, but to the team's credit they made a lot of adjustments and by the end of the game they were doing a good job of setting up their teammates."
The Sun Devils offense was clicking on all cylinders from the initial whistle in this one, as eight different players finished the night with at least one goal. Rosie Huck was a standout throughout the match, as the junior compiled a career-high five goals against the Sagehens. Huck became the first Sun Devil this season to score over five goals. She had plenty of help on the offensive end today, including Maud Koopman who notched her first four-goal game of the season.
Arizona State controlled the action during the first eight minutes, finding themselves ahead 6-0 at the end of one. Julia Reyes would open up the scoring in the match for the Sun Devils, followed shortly after by Maud Koopman who cashed in on a feed from Kayla Casas to extend the ASU lead to 2-0. Rosie Huck would take over the rest of the period, as the center could not be stopped by the Pomona-Pitzer defense. Huck scored three goals over the final 3:37 of the first period to help spot the Sun Devils to a 6-0 advantage. Goalie Mia Rycraw picked up where she left off in the previous two matches, as the senior goalkeeper did not allow a goal and recorded four saves in her one period of action.
The second period would feature much of the same, as the Sun Devil offense found a groove and maintained a high-level of play allowing them to get out to a 12-3 lead at the half. Goalie Belen Ehinger would replace Mia Rycraw to begin the second period, a valuable opportunity for the freshman to gain more experience. She was helped out by a relentless offensive effort, led by Rosie Huck and Maud Koopman. Huck, Koopman, and Mihailovic would each score unanswered goals to push the Sun Devil lead to 9-1. Later in the period, freshman Layla Waters would register her first career goal, scoring a power play goal to make it 10-2 ASU.
Coach Todd Clapper would take advantage of a healthy 12-3 halftime advantage to rotate in athletes to accelerate their growth and allow them to gain more experience. Kate Cassidy was one of those players that took great advantage of the increased playing time, as she scored her first career goal late in the third period to give the Sun Devils a 15-4 lead through three.
"Those players are working really hard so it is good for them to get in there" Coach Clapper remarked. "When they have gotten opportunities earlier in the season to play, they some of the nerves were there. Now, it is good to see them feeling a little more comfortable there on the offensive end and wanting to score goals."
Amira Van Buren would open up the scoring in the second half for the Sun Devils, continuing her strong play on the day. Rosie Huck added yet another goal before Kate Cassidy found the back of the net as mentioned above to provide the Sun Devils a 15-4 lead through three.
Goalie Sophia Burgess would replace Belen Ehinger in net midway through the final period, with the Sun Devils leading the Sagehens 15-5. Burgess would finish the game in net, recording three saves to allow ASU to cruise to a 15-6 victory in the nightcap of the ASU Invitational.
ASU Invitational Highlights (Three Games):
- ASU outscored their opponents 41-11
- Mia Rycraw – 29 saves
- Rosie Huck – 9 goals
- Alkistis Benekou – 7 goals
- Lena Mihailovic – 6 goals
- Amira Van Buren – 6 goals
- Layla Waters – 1st Career Goal
- Kate Cassidy – 1st Career Goal
Up next, the Sun Devils will compete in a pair of exhibition matches tomorrow at 12:00 & 1:00 P.M. in which teams will rotate playing each other with an opportunity to practice specific situations. Arizona State returns to the pool next weekend as they will host T-No. 1 California in their MPSF opener at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Stayed tuned to our website all week and follow us on our social media platforms for content throughout the season.
Goals: Huck (5), Koopman (4), Van Buren, Waters, Reyes, Cassidy, Benekou, Mihailovic
Assists: Koopman (3), Van Buren, Cassidy
Steals: Allin, Koopman
Saves: Rycraw (4), Burgess (3), Ehinger (2)
Sun Devils 14, Fresno State 3
No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo picked up a dominating 14-3 victory over No. 25 Fresno State in their second match of the ASU Invitational Saturday afternoon at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
The 11-goal margin of victory represents the largest on the season and was the second win by double-figures on the day. 12 of the 14 wins for the Sun Devils this season have come against teams currently ranked in the CWPA Top 25. This was the first matchup ever between these two teams, as Fresno State is currently in their inaugural season with the program established last year.
The Sun Devil defense continued to put pressure on opposing offenses, as they held the Bulldogs until 2:17 left in the first half. Mia Rycraw was once again the anchor of that imposing defense, as the senior recorded nine saves after recording a season-high 16 earlier in the day. Rycraw has reached the double-figure saves plateau in 6 of her last 8 matches. The offense had several contributors, featuring Rosie Huck and Lena Mihailovic who each finished with four goals apiece. Amira Van Buren registered her first career hat trick after putting together a three-goal performance.
A slow first period of action picked up when Alkistis Benekou beat the Bulldogs goaltender to put the Sun Devils on the board to give them a 1-0 lead. Amira Van Buren would convert on a 6-on-5 opportunity to give ASU a 2-0 lead at the end of the first eight minutes.
Two consecutive goals from Lena Mihailovic would extend the Sun Devil lead to 4-0. Rosie Huck would tally the first of many goals to come, pushing ASU ahead 5-0 midway through the second period. Mia Rycraw would keep Fresno State off the board until a late goal with 2:17 left before the half trimmed the Sun Devil lead to 5-1. Alkistis Benekou would score her second goal of the match with 22 second left in the first half to spot the Sun Devils a 6-1 lead at the break.
The second half was much of the same, as Arizona State dominated both ends in a balanced effort. After Rosie Huck opened the scoring in the half for ASU, Amira Van Buren would step up on her way to a career performance. The freshman scored two goals over the final 2:53 of the third period to capture her first ever hat trick.
With the Sun Devils leading 10-2 at the end of three, Lena Mihailovic would put the game out of reach with a pair of goals in the first minute of the final period. Rosie Huck would take over from there, as she scored the final two goals of the game for the Sun Devils to give her a total of four on the night. Goalie Belen Ehinger would relieve Mia Rycraw in net midway through the final period with the Sun Devils leading 12-2. Ehinger would finish out the game and keep Arizona State in front helping them win by their largest margin of the season, 14-3.
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @SunDevilWP | Facebook: Sun Devil Water Polo | Instagram: @SunDevilWaterPolo
Goals: Huck (4), Mihailovic (4), Van Buren (3), Benekou (2), Casas
Assists: Rogge, Koopman, Mihailovic, Casas, Allin
Steals: Casas, Allin, Koopman
Saves: Rycraw (9), Ehinger