ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team defeated No. 15 Indiana University, 11-10, in a nailbiter inside Canham Natatorium.
Kayla Barone led the way for the Wolverines with four goals, while Maddie O’Reilly chipped in three of her own. Alex Brown recorded three saves, including a game-changing save within the last two minutes to secure the win.
In true O’Reilly fashion, she scored the first goal just 25 seconds into the first quarter to put U-M up 1-0. Throughout the first quarter, it was back and forth with Indiana having an answer for each goal Michigan scored until Barone scored to go up by two goals.
In the second quarter, Barone scored twice, while Maddy Steere and O’Reilly each chipped in a goal to give Michigan a 7-4 lead heading into the third quarter.
Barone and O’Reilly took control in the third quarter, both netting goals to earn hat tricks on the day, pushing the Wolverines to a 10-7 advantage. Barone scored back-to-back goals, including her fourth with just one second left in the frame.
In the final quarter, Indiana made a comeback to tie the score at 10-all with five minutes left to play. Steere then scored the go-ahead goal for Michigan for its final one-point advantage. Brown came up with a key save with 1:41 left to cement the U-M win.
Steere finished the game with two goals, while Ava Morrant and Elise Walker each scored one. Morrant led the team in steals with four.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
