LA JOLLA, Calif. -- The No. 8 Arizona State women's water polo team (8-1) finished the first day of the Triton Invite with two wins over ranked opponents to advance to the semifinals. The Sun Devils opened with a win over No. 22 CSU Northridge and closed out the day with an upset over No. 5 UC Irvine.
ASU will play MPSF opponent, No. 3 UCLA, at 1:30 p.m. MST on Sunday for a chance to advance to the championship.
Game 1: No. 8 ASU 9, No. 22 CSUN 3
The Sun Devils got off to a dominant start in the team's first match of the Triton Invite, building an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter that they would not relinquish through the remained of the game. ASU's offense took control in the second quarter, netting four goals to give the team a 6-1 lead heading into the second half.
Three Sun Devils scored two or more goals each, including a four-goal performance from Borbala Kekesi.
The Sun Devil defense proved to be a key factor in the win, holding the Matadors to their lowest point total of the season.
Goals: Blaire McDowell (1), Amira Van Buren (2), Eszter Kiss (2), Borbala Kekesi (4)
Game 2: No. 8 ASU 10, No. 5 UC Irvine 9
ASU pulled off an upset victory over No. 5 UC Irvine in the second match of the day. UC Irvine jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the first quarter, but the Sun Devils came back to tie it up, 6-6, heading into the second half. It was a back-and-forth effort through much of the second half, but Kekesi's late fourth quarter goal -- her third of the game -- solidified the win.
Goals: Blaire McDowell (1), Amira Van Buren (3), Eszter Kiss (3), Borbala Kekesi (3)
ASU will play MPSF opponent, No. 3 UCLA, at 1:30 p.m. MST on Sunday for a chance to advance to the championship.
Game 1: No. 8 ASU 9, No. 22 CSUN 3
The Sun Devils got off to a dominant start in the team's first match of the Triton Invite, building an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter that they would not relinquish through the remained of the game. ASU's offense took control in the second quarter, netting four goals to give the team a 6-1 lead heading into the second half.
Three Sun Devils scored two or more goals each, including a four-goal performance from Borbala Kekesi.
The Sun Devil defense proved to be a key factor in the win, holding the Matadors to their lowest point total of the season.
Goals: Blaire McDowell (1), Amira Van Buren (2), Eszter Kiss (2), Borbala Kekesi (4)
Game 2: No. 8 ASU 10, No. 5 UC Irvine 9
ASU pulled off an upset victory over No. 5 UC Irvine in the second match of the day. UC Irvine jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the first quarter, but the Sun Devils came back to tie it up, 6-6, heading into the second half. It was a back-and-forth effort through much of the second half, but Kekesi's late fourth quarter goal -- her third of the game -- solidified the win.
Goals: Blaire McDowell (1), Amira Van Buren (3), Eszter Kiss (3), Borbala Kekesi (3)