TEMPE, ARIZ.-- The 17 home game stretch continues for the Arizona State water polo team, with two games against Stanford to open up play in March. The Sun Devils (6-3) head into this weekend after facing their first losses of the season in last week's ASU Invitational tournament against USC and Michigan. ASU will have their first Mountain Pacific Sport Federation conference play against Stanford in the two games slated for 1:00 PM MST on March 6-7. Both games are closed to the public per PAC-12 policy, but will be available to watch via the Arizona State Live Stream.
The Sun Devils are currently ranked fifth in the Collegiate Water Polo Association weekly varsity polls, and Stanford has been ranked second for the third consecutive week despite having yet to play a game this season. ASU closed out their weekend of tournament play strong, with a 7-4 win over #6 Michigan after outstanding performances from Bente Rogge, Chelsea Karimazondo, Blaire McDowell, and reigning MPSF Newcomer of the Week Luca Petovary. Karimazondo allowed four goals on 25 shots (0.160 shooting percentage) and recorded 12 saves in the Sun Devils' dominant defensive win over Michigan. The team's offensive efforts were led by Rogge who recorded three goals, and McDowell and Petovary who followed with two goals apiece.
ASU has opportunities to set some program records this weekend, as a win over #2 Stanford would give them their second win over a #2 ranked opponent--which last happened in 2008 against #2 USC-- as well as their first program victory over Stanford as the all-time series leans in favor of the Cardinal 0-26.
ASU Live Stream: https://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university-2
Stats for 3/6: https://www.thefosh.net/live/10259
Stats for 3/7: https://www.thefosh.net/live/10260
About the Cardinal:
ICYMI:
The Sun Devils are currently ranked fifth in the Collegiate Water Polo Association weekly varsity polls, and Stanford has been ranked second for the third consecutive week despite having yet to play a game this season. ASU closed out their weekend of tournament play strong, with a 7-4 win over #6 Michigan after outstanding performances from Bente Rogge, Chelsea Karimazondo, Blaire McDowell, and reigning MPSF Newcomer of the Week Luca Petovary. Karimazondo allowed four goals on 25 shots (0.160 shooting percentage) and recorded 12 saves in the Sun Devils' dominant defensive win over Michigan. The team's offensive efforts were led by Rogge who recorded three goals, and McDowell and Petovary who followed with two goals apiece.
McDowell's nasty backhand makes it 6-3 late in the 3rd! pic.twitter.com/qSAohr4xqZ
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) February 28, 2021
ASU has opportunities to set some program records this weekend, as a win over #2 Stanford would give them their second win over a #2 ranked opponent--which last happened in 2008 against #2 USC-- as well as their first program victory over Stanford as the all-time series leans in favor of the Cardinal 0-26.
ASU Live Stream: https://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university-2
Stats for 3/6: https://www.thefosh.net/live/10259
Stats for 3/7: https://www.thefosh.net/live/10260
About the Cardinal:
- Ended the 2020 season ranked #2 with UCLA, after their 15-1 record.
- Stanford is the defending NCAA Champion (2019).
- They have won six of the last nine national championships.
- Stanford's Head Coach, John Tanner was named college coach of the year by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
ICYMI:
- Luca Petovary is third in the MPSF for goals with 24, and Bente Rogge is eighth with 13 goals.
- ASU is currently ranked fifth in the polls which is the 36th time they've been in this position.
- Itzahiana Baca is second in the MPSF with 39 saves, and Chelsea Karimazondo is in fourth with 31.
- Petovary has scored a goal in each game this season (nine), and has seven games of two or more goals to lead the team with 24 goals.
- Blaire McDowell is third in the MPSF for steals with 17, and is tied with IU's Sophie Wazzan for first with 1.9 steals-per-game.
Freshman on FIRE ?? Luca has recorded a goal in every game this season, including seven games of 2+ goals, and leads the team with 2??4?? pic.twitter.com/PlbMzbSp5x
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) March 1, 2021