STANFORD, Calif. – The No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo team fell on the road to No. 1 Stanford, 10-4, Sunday afternoon at Avery Aquatics Center in their regular season finale.
Four different Sun Devils found the back of the net to lead a balanced offensive attack, including Maud Koopman who scored her fifth goal of the weekend.
It was clear from the opening period that both teams were attempting to establish a tempo and manufacture offensive rhythm. With the Sun Devil defense holding strong in the first period, the Cardinal did not put a tally in the scoring column until the 3:59 mark. Rycraw looked sharp early, denying a few prime opportunities from Stanford. Continuing her outstanding play on the weekend, Maud Koopman would open the scoring for the Sun Devils with a beautifully placed shot from distance. Mia Rycraw denied a late Cardinal 6-on-5 scoring opportunity to keep the score tied at one through the first period.
Mia Rycraw continued to play well into the second period, keeping the deficit manageable as the Cardinal threatened offensively. Stanford finally broke through with three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead. The Sun Devil offense earned several 6-on-5 opportunities that resulted in dangerous scoring chances, but the Cardinal goaltender Julia Hermann was up to the task. Bente Rogge would come through when Arizona State needed her, providing a clutch goal to cut the Stanford lead to 4-2. The Sun Devils best threat to trim the lead further came during a brief 6-on-4 advantage, but they were unable to convert. Stanford would take a 4-2 advantage into the half.
The No. 1-ranked Cardinal would register the opening tally of the second half after a scoreless first two minutes, extending their lead to 5-2. Stanford would take their largest lead of the match with two consecutive goals. Sparked by a Mia Rycraw save on a breakaway attempt, Arizona State had a big response to end the period.
The offensive beginning to find space thanks to strong counter attack efforts. Alkistis Benekou showed off her strength, holding off a Cardinal defender to cut the Stanford lead to 7-3. Kayla Casas became the Sun Devils fourth different goal scorer, as the senior made the score 7-4 with just over a minute left in the period. The Arizona State defense held Stanford scoreless over the final three minutes of the period, keeping the score 7-4 through three periods.
Stanford would go on to demonstrate why they are the top-ranked team in the country, controlling most of the fourth period. The Cardinal scored three unanswered goals in the period to take a six-goal lead, which they would maintain for the rest of the match to earn the 10-4 victory.
Up next, Arizona State will enjoy a weekend off spent preparing for the MPSF Championships. The 2018 Championship will take place April 27th-29th in Berkeley hosted by the University of California. The Sun Devils defeated Cal State Bakersfield in the fifth-place match to pick up their 20th win of the season to cap the 2017 MPSF Championships. Stayed tuned to our website and follow all of our social media platforms for the latest information and updates regarding Sun Devil Water Polo.
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @SunDevilWP | Facebook: Sun Devil Water Polo | Instagram: @SunDevilWaterPolo
Goals: Koopman, Benekou, Casas, Rogge
Assists: Casas, Huck
Steals: Koopman (5), Rycraw (3), Rogge (2), Reyes (2), Allin
Saves: Rycraw (6)
Four different Sun Devils found the back of the net to lead a balanced offensive attack, including Maud Koopman who scored her fifth goal of the weekend.
It was clear from the opening period that both teams were attempting to establish a tempo and manufacture offensive rhythm. With the Sun Devil defense holding strong in the first period, the Cardinal did not put a tally in the scoring column until the 3:59 mark. Rycraw looked sharp early, denying a few prime opportunities from Stanford. Continuing her outstanding play on the weekend, Maud Koopman would open the scoring for the Sun Devils with a beautifully placed shot from distance. Mia Rycraw denied a late Cardinal 6-on-5 scoring opportunity to keep the score tied at one through the first period.
Mia Rycraw continued to play well into the second period, keeping the deficit manageable as the Cardinal threatened offensively. Stanford finally broke through with three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead. The Sun Devil offense earned several 6-on-5 opportunities that resulted in dangerous scoring chances, but the Cardinal goaltender Julia Hermann was up to the task. Bente Rogge would come through when Arizona State needed her, providing a clutch goal to cut the Stanford lead to 4-2. The Sun Devils best threat to trim the lead further came during a brief 6-on-4 advantage, but they were unable to convert. Stanford would take a 4-2 advantage into the half.
GOAL!
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) April 15, 2018
Bente Rogge cuts the Stanford lead to 4-2, with a goal midway through the second period! pic.twitter.com/zM9s2GBGSU
The No. 1-ranked Cardinal would register the opening tally of the second half after a scoreless first two minutes, extending their lead to 5-2. Stanford would take their largest lead of the match with two consecutive goals. Sparked by a Mia Rycraw save on a breakaway attempt, Arizona State had a big response to end the period.
Mia Rycraw with the save on the breakaway!
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) April 15, 2018
Sun Devils trail 7-2 in the third period pic.twitter.com/Z7HK3xDe8T
The offensive beginning to find space thanks to strong counter attack efforts. Alkistis Benekou showed off her strength, holding off a Cardinal defender to cut the Stanford lead to 7-3. Kayla Casas became the Sun Devils fourth different goal scorer, as the senior made the score 7-4 with just over a minute left in the period. The Arizona State defense held Stanford scoreless over the final three minutes of the period, keeping the score 7-4 through three periods.
Stanford would go on to demonstrate why they are the top-ranked team in the country, controlling most of the fourth period. The Cardinal scored three unanswered goals in the period to take a six-goal lead, which they would maintain for the rest of the match to earn the 10-4 victory.
Up next, Arizona State will enjoy a weekend off spent preparing for the MPSF Championships. The 2018 Championship will take place April 27th-29th in Berkeley hosted by the University of California. The Sun Devils defeated Cal State Bakersfield in the fifth-place match to pick up their 20th win of the season to cap the 2017 MPSF Championships. Stayed tuned to our website and follow all of our social media platforms for the latest information and updates regarding Sun Devil Water Polo.
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @SunDevilWP | Facebook: Sun Devil Water Polo | Instagram: @SunDevilWaterPolo
Goals: Koopman, Benekou, Casas, Rogge
Assists: Casas, Huck
Steals: Koopman (5), Rycraw (3), Rogge (2), Reyes (2), Allin
Saves: Rycraw (6)