TEMPE, Ariz. — The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan water polo team suffered a 14-10 setback against No. 7 Loyola Marymount University in the opening match of the Malmsten Invitational at Arizona State University’s Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. The game was highlighted offensively by Ari Karampetsou and Issy Jackson as the pair both scored two goals against a strong LMU defense.
After conceding a goal early, Brooke Ingram scored for the Wolverines. The tally was quickly followed by an Emma Gustafsson strike following a defensive stop. LMU evened it up before the end of the first frame, going into the second quarter tied at two-all.
Loyola Marymount and Michigan traded goals throughout the start of the second quarter with Karampetsou firing a long shot past the LMU keeper for the Wolverines between a pair of LMU goals. After two more Lions’ goals, Kaia Levenfeld and Jackson found the back of the net to account for back-to-back goals. In the final minute, LMU grabbed a 6-5 halftime lead after a physical first half.
The Lions took a three-goal lead to open up the third quarter before Gustafsson earned her second score of the game via a penalty shot. Jackson drew an exclusion off a counterattack, which set up Lulu Hirschfield for her first goal of the season to close in on Loyola Marymount. LMU added more to their total to maintain a three-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter.
After winning the sprint to start the fourth quarter, Riley Chapple got the Wolverines a much-needed goal just 30 seconds in to inch within a pair. However, the Lions were able to take a four-goal lead, the largest spread of the game. Karampetsou and Jackson notched their second markers of the day, but it was not enough to overcome the Lions’ as LMU held on for a four-goal victory.
Information courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
