STOCKTON, Calif. — The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team capped off another successful road trip, beating host/No. 13 University of the Pacific, 9-3, at Chris Kjledsen Pool, extending the program’s win streak to 10. It marked the second win in as many days for the Wolverines over the Tigers following a 5-4 victory on Monday, April 5.
Last night’s hero, senior Maddie O’Reilly, netted a hat trick before halftime, while graduate student Heidi Ritner had another marvelous game in the cage. Following a 17-save performance in the first game versus Pacific, Ritner made seven more in the second meeting, headlining a defense that limited the home team to three-for-29 (.103) shooting and an 0-for-9 clip on the power play.
The Wolverines had two power-play opportunities in the game’s opening minutes, but hit the crossbar on each attempt. Pacific converted its chances to take a 2-0 lead, the second goal coming on a five-meter penalty. After killing off a penalty on the defensive end, junior Erin Neustrom followed up a saved shot and fought for rebound to draw a five-meter penalty. O’Reilly swam up and took it, skipping a shot into the corner. Pacific led 2-1 after the first eight minutes.
U-M stormed into the lead in the second quarter, holding the Tigers scoreless. After O’Reilly knotted things up at two-all, Ritner made a save on a power play, then quickly transitioned to offense, firing a pass down the pool to sophomore Sophie Tovani. She finished the goal on the breakaway, looping a shot over the Pacific goalkeeper’s head to put Michigan ahead 3-2. Tovani tallied an assist on the next goal, feeding a pass inside to senior Sofie Pontré. O’Reilly sent the Wolverines into halftime with a 5-2 lead, rifling a shot into the net with seven seconds left.
The Wolverines extended their lead to five in the third quarter with goals from freshmen Kata Utassy and Libby Alsemgeest (who also had an assist), and sophomore Anne Rankin.
Junior Sophie Jackson played the final quarter in relief of Ritner, making two saves while not allowing a goal. Freshman Elise Walker scored the only goal of the quarter for either side to make it 9-3, finishing with goal off an assist from senior Kathy Rogers.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
