TEMPE, ARIZ.-- The Arizona State water polo team opened up their season at home hosting two games against San Diego State University on Saturday. They are set to play final game against SDSU after back-to-back victories over the Aztecs (0-2).
ASU (2-0) was ranked fifth in the Collegiate Water Polo Association's preseason polls after not having played in over 11 months due to their season being cancelled by COVID, and headed into this weekend ranked sixth.
Coach Todd Clapper praised his team's performance after a long offseason, "Overall, we played well. It's early in the season, it's the first game for a lot of people since March of last year."
"I am really happy. I think that it was a really good opportunity because the game play is really good-back and forth, but it's giving us an opportunity to get some good games in."
GAME 1:
The first of three games for the Sun Devils was highlighted by an outstanding performance from the newcomers including freshman Luca Petovary was a force to be reckoned with, recording five goals in her first game as a Sun Devil in the 15-9 defeat of the Aztecs. Petovary's five goals put her on the all-time list with 22 other Sun Devils who have scored five goals in a game.
After today's performance, Coach Clapper praised Petovary for her work ethic, "She's doing great. She's one of the most coachable people, she's a very talented player and came in as a very talented scorer. She wants to learn, wants to get better defensively, and she's happy to play her role."
Senior captain Amira Van Buren had three goals in the victory, in what was a strong opening day game for ASU. The Devils were 6-10 on power plays, and one-for-one on penalty shots holding SDSU to 0.346 shooting percentage.
Other notable Sun Devil scorers were: Laura Kiss (2), Alba Olive Marti (2), Blaire McDowell (1), Abby Begg (1), and Tarah Schaffer (1).
The Sun Devils tallied 10 assists from: Laura Kiss (2), Emma Fraser (2), Ali Cameron (2), Blaire McDowell (1), and Luca Petovary (1).
Itzahiana Baca tallied 5 saves for ASU giving up only 5 of the 9 scored by SDSU.
GAME 2:
Luca Petovary could not be stopped in the Sun Devils' 20-9 win against SDSU. She recorded another five goals in game two to put her at 10 on the day, and added to her season stats with one assist. Ali Cameron got her first points of the season against the Aztecs as the second highest scorer for the Sun Devils along with Van Buren, who each tallied four goals.
Chelsea Karimazondo got the start in goal for ASU, who had a strong defensive first half holding SDSU to three points. SDSU scored just nine points off of 28 shots, as the Sun Devils held them to a 0.321 shooting percentage.
Other Sun Devils on the scoreboard: Borbala Kekesi (2), Abby Begg (2), Bente Rogge (1), and Tarah Schaffer (1).
Sun Devils with assists: Emma Fraser (3), Luca Petovary (1), Laura Kiss (1), Emily Van Zonneveld (1), Borbala Kekesi (1), Abby Begg (1), Bente Rogge (1), Ali Cameron (1), and Tarah Schaffer (1).
UP NEXT: ASU will face SDSU for the final time this season on Sunday Feb 14 where they will play at Mona Plummer at 10:00 AM MST. On February 20, California Baptist will come to town for a quick two game weekend.
ASU (2-0) was ranked fifth in the Collegiate Water Polo Association's preseason polls after not having played in over 11 months due to their season being cancelled by COVID, and headed into this weekend ranked sixth.
Coach Todd Clapper praised his team's performance after a long offseason, "Overall, we played well. It's early in the season, it's the first game for a lot of people since March of last year."
"I am really happy. I think that it was a really good opportunity because the game play is really good-back and forth, but it's giving us an opportunity to get some good games in."
GAME 1:
The first of three games for the Sun Devils was highlighted by an outstanding performance from the newcomers including freshman Luca Petovary was a force to be reckoned with, recording five goals in her first game as a Sun Devil in the 15-9 defeat of the Aztecs. Petovary's five goals put her on the all-time list with 22 other Sun Devils who have scored five goals in a game.
After today's performance, Coach Clapper praised Petovary for her work ethic, "She's doing great. She's one of the most coachable people, she's a very talented player and came in as a very talented scorer. She wants to learn, wants to get better defensively, and she's happy to play her role."
CLUTCH » Luca Petovary pic.twitter.com/wUcaRnFlDi
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) February 13, 2021
Senior captain Amira Van Buren had three goals in the victory, in what was a strong opening day game for ASU. The Devils were 6-10 on power plays, and one-for-one on penalty shots holding SDSU to 0.346 shooting percentage.
Other notable Sun Devil scorers were: Laura Kiss (2), Alba Olive Marti (2), Blaire McDowell (1), Abby Begg (1), and Tarah Schaffer (1).
The Sun Devils tallied 10 assists from: Laura Kiss (2), Emma Fraser (2), Ali Cameron (2), Blaire McDowell (1), and Luca Petovary (1).
Itzahiana Baca tallied 5 saves for ASU giving up only 5 of the 9 scored by SDSU.
GAME 2:
Luca Petovary could not be stopped in the Sun Devils' 20-9 win against SDSU. She recorded another five goals in game two to put her at 10 on the day, and added to her season stats with one assist. Ali Cameron got her first points of the season against the Aztecs as the second highest scorer for the Sun Devils along with Van Buren, who each tallied four goals.
Chelsea Karimazondo got the start in goal for ASU, who had a strong defensive first half holding SDSU to three points. SDSU scored just nine points off of 28 shots, as the Sun Devils held them to a 0.321 shooting percentage.
Other Sun Devils on the scoreboard: Borbala Kekesi (2), Abby Begg (2), Bente Rogge (1), and Tarah Schaffer (1).
Sun Devils with assists: Emma Fraser (3), Luca Petovary (1), Laura Kiss (1), Emily Van Zonneveld (1), Borbala Kekesi (1), Abby Begg (1), Bente Rogge (1), Ali Cameron (1), and Tarah Schaffer (1).
SUN DEVIL SWEEP ?? pic.twitter.com/fc9u1Gp7wH
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) February 13, 2021
UP NEXT: ASU will face SDSU for the final time this season on Sunday Feb 14 where they will play at Mona Plummer at 10:00 AM MST. On February 20, California Baptist will come to town for a quick two game weekend.