CLAREMONT, Calif. — The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan water polo team delivered two strong offensive performances, defeating Azusa Pacific University, 12-6, and No. 20 San Diego State University, 14-8, to finish the Convergence Tournament at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College’s Axelrood Aquatics Center.
Ari Karampetsou paced Michigan with six goals on the day, scoring four against Azusa Pacific and two against San Diego State. Emilia Mladjan, Brooke Ingram and Jordan Schneider each recorded a hat trick, with Mladjan’s coming versus the Cougars and Ingram and Schneider’s versus the Aztecs. Goaltender Sophia Bunnell stopped 19 shots on the day.
Michigan, which improves to 7-5 on the season, struck first against Azusa Pacific after an early exclusion with Sophia Panossian opening the scoring to put the Wolverines on the board. After APU briefly tied the game, Maiken Pardon responded to return the Maize & Blue’s lead. The Wolverines continued to press and Emma Gustafsson capitalized on another opportunity, extending the advantage. A late goal from Azusa Pacific made it a 3-2 game heading into the second quarter.
In the second frame, the Wolverines took control, outscoring the Cougars by a 7-2 count. Karampetsou converted a penalty shot and quickly followed with another goal. Soon after, Mladjan joined the scoring action, pushing Michigan further ahead.
Azusa Pacific momentarily cut into the lead, but Tilly Waugh and the Wolverines answered right back to keep Michigan on top, 7-4. U-M continued their offensive surge with a goal from Riley Chapple and an additional two from Mladjan to wrap up a high-scoring quarter to give Michigan a commanding 10-4 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was a low-scoring affair as the Maize & Blue defense remained active, but the offense struggled to find the back of the net. Despite allowing two goals, U-M held strong and maintained their four-goal cushion heading into the final frame.
Claire Eusey broke the scoring drought in the fourth quarter by putting away a chance to place Michigan ahead by five goals. In the final two minutes of the contest, Schneider put the game out of reach by netting a strike. The Wolverines’ defense shut out Azusa Pacific in the final quarter, securing the victory.
In game two, U-M opened the scoring with Ingram netting the first goal, but San Diego State responded with three consecutive goals to take a 3-1 lead. The Wolverines quickly regrouped, with Schneider converting on a power play to pull Michigan within one. In the final moments of the opening eight minutes, Schneider struck again to knot the contest at three-all.
Michigan seized control in the second frame, shutting out the Aztecs while adding four consecutive goals. Waugh put the Wolverines back in front and Karampetsou followed with a goal of her own to extend the lead. Issy Jackson and Ashley O’Neill each found the back of the net, which sent Michigan into halftime with a 7-3 advantage.
The Maize & Blue continued its offensive push in the third quarter by outscoring San Diego State 5-2. Karampetsou struck again early in the span, followed by Ingram’s second goal of the game. Pardon and Kasey Umlauf added to the tallies before Ingram delivered her third goal, completing her hat trick and pushing Michigan’s lead to 12-5.
San Diego State attempted to rally, scoring three goals in the fourth quarter, but Michigan’s attack remained steady. Harriet Dickens found the back of the net to keep the Wolverines in control. Schneider struck one final time to complete her hat trick, putting the game out of reach.
Information courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
