IRVINE, CALIF. – No. 7 Arizona State water polo (14-4) squared off against No. 8 Michigan (12-6) in the 9th place game of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, but a sluggish start was the difference in the defensive battle, as ASU eventually fell 9-8 to the Wolverines despite the late comeback effort.
Sunday's game was the third game in the last four meetings between the two teams to be decided by just one goal. In the 20 meetings all-time, 12 of the games had been decided by two or fewer goals, with just two meetings having a victory margin of five or more goals.
In net for ASU, Sanne Keijzer saw three penalty shots and allowed a goal in just one of them. Offensively, the Sun Devils took two penalty shots and converted both into goals thanks to senior attacker Luca Petovary who, again, netted a hat trick in today's loss. Petovary has scored three or more goals in 16 of 18 games this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Sun Devils will be competing in the Convergence Tournament in Claremont, California on March 1-2. Their first of four games will be against Mount St. Mary's on Friday, March 1 at 1:45 p.m. AZT. The match against the Wolverines can be followed on The Fosh.
HOW TO FOLLOW:
Continue following Sun Devil Water Polo on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook all-season long during the 2024 season @SunDevilWP for coverage of the team. Live stats can be found on 6-8 sports and TheFosh along with other MPSF Conference teams.
Sunday's game was the third game in the last four meetings between the two teams to be decided by just one goal. In the 20 meetings all-time, 12 of the games had been decided by two or fewer goals, with just two meetings having a victory margin of five or more goals.
In net for ASU, Sanne Keijzer saw three penalty shots and allowed a goal in just one of them. Offensively, the Sun Devils took two penalty shots and converted both into goals thanks to senior attacker Luca Petovary who, again, netted a hat trick in today's loss. Petovary has scored three or more goals in 16 of 18 games this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Michigan got on the board first with just 55 seconds remaining in the first quarter after a successful penalty shot. The Wolverines clung onto a 1-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
- Sophie Shorter-Robinson scored first for ASU to even the game 1-1, but another goal from Michigan gave them a 2-1 edge. After three penalties called on the Sun Devils in the first half, ASU drew their first penalty of the day, and Luca Petovary converted on the attempt to tie the game at two.
- A last-second goal from the Wolverines put them in front 3-2 at the half.
- Petovary converted on another penalty shot to even the game 3-3 in the opening minute of the third quarter. The two teams traded man-up goals and were tied at four at the halfway point of the third quarter.
- The Wolverines netted three goals to close out the third quarter and saw a 7-4 lead going into the final frame.
- A goal from Michigan opened the fourth quarter, but Jasmin Dikmans responded with a goal of her own to cut the deficit to 8-5. The Wolverines added to their lead with a powerplay goal and the lead was back up to four.
- Petovary scored again in the fourth quarter to secure the hat trick, and last-minute goals from Jasmin Dikmans and Lara Kiss pulled ASU within one, but the clock expired and the 9-8 score stood final.
The Sun Devils will be competing in the Convergence Tournament in Claremont, California on March 1-2. Their first of four games will be against Mount St. Mary's on Friday, March 1 at 1:45 p.m. AZT. The match against the Wolverines can be followed on The Fosh.
HOW TO FOLLOW:
Continue following Sun Devil Water Polo on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook all-season long during the 2024 season @SunDevilWP for coverage of the team. Live stats can be found on 6-8 sports and TheFosh along with other MPSF Conference teams.