ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan water polo team opened its Wolverine Invitational with a strong offensive display and stingy defense to defeat Mercyhurst University, 18-2, in a Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) contest at Canham Natatorium.
Maddy Scarth recorded her first career hat trick, leading a varied offensive attack that saw 11 Wolverines tally at least a goal and five netting a pair. In the cage, Sophia Bunnell delivered a standout performance in the first half, racking up 12 saves while adding an assist.
Michigan – which improve to 10-7, 4-2 CWPA – wasted little time in jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the opening eight minutes. Ari Karampetsou tallied the first for U-M, followed by a pair of goals from Issy Jackson. To round out the quarter, Emilia Mladjan and Riley Chapple each found the back of the net.
The Wolverines maintained their momentum in the second quarter, tacking on another five goals. Jordan Schneider and Abby Schulz added their names to the scoresheet before Matilda Waugh netted one on a power play. Mercyhurst – which falls to 4-13, 0-5 CWPA) scored its only two goals of the contest in the quarter. Harriet Dickens finished the half with back-to-back goals, pushing Michigan’s lead to 10-2 at halftime.
Coming out of the break, Michigan’s defense — led by second-half goalie Katie Delaney — shut out Mercyhurst in the third quarter. Jillian Schlom struck at the 4:13 mark, pushing the Wolverines’ lead to 11-2. Less than a minute later, Scarth got on the scoresheet, firing a shot past the Lakers goalie to make it 12-2. Chapple, and Kaia Levenfeld each scored to extend the margin to 14-2.
Two minutes into the final quarter, Scarth netted back-to-back goals to complete her hat trick. Levenfeld added another tally with just over three minutes left, and Schneider delivered the final blow, converting a penalty shot in the last two seconds of the game.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
