FRESNO, Calif. — The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan water polo team closed out play at Fresno State University’s Polopalooza by falling 11-10 versus No. 4 the University of Hawaii at the Fresno State Aquatics Center. The Wolverines ramped up their offense in the second half, scoring seven of the the Maize & Blue’s 10 goals in the second half.
Sophomore Ari Karampetsou paced the Wolverines with four goals. She made an impact on both ends of the pool, with one of her tallies coming off a steal and a quick behind-the-back finish.
Hawaii struck first in the game by scoring less than 30 seconds after the opening sprint. Karampetsou answered quickly with her first goal of the match, providing U-M’s lone tally of the opening eight minutes as Michigan trailed 3-1.
The Wolverines found the net twice in the second quarter with Issy Jackson firing a shot past the Hawaii goalkeeper before Brooke Ingram converted a power-play opportunity with 20 seconds remaining in the first half. The Rainbow Wahine countered with four goals in the fame to take a 7-3 lead into halftime.
Michigan showed renewed energy on both ends of the pool to open the second half, tightening defensively and limiting Hawaii’s opportunities. After a defense-heavy third quarter, Karampetsou scored twice in the quarter with Kaia Levenfeld adding a goal between them to help keep Michigan within striking distance at 9-6.
The Maize & Blue continued their push in the fourth quarter with goals from four different Wolverines. Harriet Dickens opened the scoring in the final frame before Hawaii responded with a pair of goals. In the closing three minutes, Emilia Mladjan and Riley Chapple recorded their first goals of the match and Karampetsou deposited her fourth as their team’s comeback attempt fell a tally short of forcing overtime.
Information courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
