BERKELEY, Calif. – The No. 6 Sun Devil Water Polo team came up short in the second quarterfinal match at the 2018 MPSF Championship, falling to No. 4 UCLA, 14-4, at the Spieker Aquatics Complex.
In the first meeting between these two teams, defenses ruled the day with only 9 total goals scored in the match. A different tone would develop in the first half of this match, as both offenses combined for 11 goals.
The Bruins started strong with an offensive burst, leading the match 5-0 at the 2:12 mark of the first period. Undeterred by the deficit, the Sun Devils found their footing offensively and got on the board late in the first period. Kayla Casas would open up the scoring, finding the back of the net with 50 seconds remaining in the first. On the very next possession, a well-executed set resulted in a converted 6-on-5 opportunity for Lena Mihailovic just before the first period expired. On the strength of two last-minute goals, the Sun Devils found themselves down 6-2 through one.
UCLA opened the second period with a push, extending their lead to 8-2 in the process. Maud Koopman would provide a timely response for the Sun Devils. After some excellent ball movement, the junior sent a perfectly placed rocket right past the Bruins goaltender from long distance. With the goal, Koopman becomes the first Sun Devil to reach the 40-goal plateau this season. Neither team could muster many more scoring opportunities the remainder of the half, as Mia Rycraw excelled in the final two minutes to keep the Bruins lead at 8-3 heading into the break.
The pace would settle down after halftime, with both goalkeepers looking much sharper throughout the second half. A final comeback attempt from the Sun Devils was sparked by a third period goal from Bente Rogge, who was recently named to the All-MPSF Second Team. Rogge scored with 2:36 left in the third period to get ASU on the board in the second half. The Sun Devils would find themselves down 10-4 through three. UCLA would thwart any possibility of a comeback with a four-goal fourth period, helping them secure a 14-4 victory.
Up next, Arizona State will wrap-up the 2018 MPSF Championship with a consolation match. Fifth-seeded Sun Devil Water Polo will take on sixth-seeded San Jose State back at Spieker Aquatics Complex at 11:00 A.M. San Jose State lost to Stanford, 16-4, in their first match at the MPSF Championships. A live stream of every match of the tournament will be available via MPSF Live Stream. 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, Mihailovic, Casas, Rogge
Steals: Allin (3), Casas (2), Reyes, Mihailovic
Saves: Rycraw (7)
In the first meeting between these two teams, defenses ruled the day with only 9 total goals scored in the match. A different tone would develop in the first half of this match, as both offenses combined for 11 goals.
The Bruins started strong with an offensive burst, leading the match 5-0 at the 2:12 mark of the first period. Undeterred by the deficit, the Sun Devils found their footing offensively and got on the board late in the first period. Kayla Casas would open up the scoring, finding the back of the net with 50 seconds remaining in the first. On the very next possession, a well-executed set resulted in a converted 6-on-5 opportunity for Lena Mihailovic just before the first period expired. On the strength of two last-minute goals, the Sun Devils found themselves down 6-2 through one.
UCLA opened the second period with a push, extending their lead to 8-2 in the process. Maud Koopman would provide a timely response for the Sun Devils. After some excellent ball movement, the junior sent a perfectly placed rocket right past the Bruins goaltender from long distance. With the goal, Koopman becomes the first Sun Devil to reach the 40-goal plateau this season. Neither team could muster many more scoring opportunities the remainder of the half, as Mia Rycraw excelled in the final two minutes to keep the Bruins lead at 8-3 heading into the break.
The pace would settle down after halftime, with both goalkeepers looking much sharper throughout the second half. A final comeback attempt from the Sun Devils was sparked by a third period goal from Bente Rogge, who was recently named to the All-MPSF Second Team. Rogge scored with 2:36 left in the third period to get ASU on the board in the second half. The Sun Devils would find themselves down 10-4 through three. UCLA would thwart any possibility of a comeback with a four-goal fourth period, helping them secure a 14-4 victory.
Up next, Arizona State will wrap-up the 2018 MPSF Championship with a consolation match. Fifth-seeded Sun Devil Water Polo will take on sixth-seeded San Jose State back at Spieker Aquatics Complex at 11:00 A.M. San Jose State lost to Stanford, 16-4, in their first match at the MPSF Championships. A live stream of every match of the tournament will be available via MPSF Live Stream. 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, Mihailovic, Casas, Rogge
Steals: Allin (3), Casas (2), Reyes, Mihailovic
Saves: Rycraw (7)