FUKUOKA, Japan — Former University of Michigan athletes Amy Ridge, Abby Andrews and Sofie Pontre ’21 M ’22 combined for a goal, two steals and a pair of field blocks, as Australia suffered a 9-5 setback versus the United States and Princeton University’s Jovana Sekulic (Jr., Belgrade, Serbia/The Episcopal Academy (Pa.)) in Group A competition at the 20th World Aquatics Championships.
Ridge – who competed for Michigan in 2016 – shot one-for-four with a pair of field blocks in 21:32 of playing time. Her totals follow a one goal on two attempts performance in 14:05 of playing time during a 10-8 opening game victory versus France.
Andrews – who played for Michigan in 2019 – chipped in a steal against the Americans in 21:20 of action as she now has two goals on five attempts and a steal in 45:27 of competition in the Aussies’ pair of contests.
Pontre – who did not compete in the defeat of France – notched a steal in 18:09 against the United States.
For Team USA – which outscored Australia 5-3 and 3-1 in the first and fourth quarters while keeping step with their foe courtesy 0-0 and 1-1 outputs in the second and fourth quarters – Sekulic saw limited time in the water (7:34) as the Americans sank the Aussies.
Princeton alumna/two-time Olympic Gold Medalist goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson ’17 – who turned aside 12-of-18 shots in a 15-6 management of China during Team USA’s first contest of the week – did not play against Australia.
Action continues on Thursday, July 20, as Australia – which now stands at 1-1 in Group A – will take on China at 12:30 a.m. Eastern and the United States aims to remain perfect with a 3:00 a.m. Eastern contest against France.
