ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team opened the Michigan Invitational with an 11-8 win over No. 21 Wagner College before falling to No. 5 University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) in the nightcap, 12-4, at Canham Natatorium.
The Wolverines clicked on offense through the first half against Wagner, piling up eight goals to build an 8-2 lead with 2:26 left in the second quarter. Wagner went on a 5-0 run over the next 7:33 to get within one goal. However, Michigan allowed one more goal over the final 11:32 of the contest and took the win.
The Maize and Blue received several individual standout performances. Junior Maddie O’Reilly matched a career high with four goals — one in each quarter — and one assist. Senior Skyler Pyle connected with on each of O’Reilly’s goals to match a career high with four assists and added two goals. Freshman Erin Neustrom had her first hat trick of the season, doing so in the first half.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Heidi Ritner made 10 saves and allowed just five goals in nearly 28 minutes of action.
Three freshmen made their collegiate debut against Wagner. Abby May and Grace Harbaugh each entered the game late in the second quarter. Goalkeeper Alex Brown played the first 4:04 of the third quarter, making one save.
The evening game versus UCLA featured the alumni band, a large crowd in maize and blue and a postseason atmosphere.
However, the Wolverines could not get their offense going until the second half as UCLA used a four-goal second quarter to build a 6-0 halftime lead.
While U-M was much better on offense in the third quarter, scoring four goals to match UCLA’s output, it could not overcome its first-half deficit and fell to the Bruins.
The defense was a bright spot early on for Michigan. Led by junior Sofie Pontré, who had four steals, U-M was able to hold UCLA to just two goals in the first eight minutes with Ritner making four opening-quarter saves.
Pontré also was Michigan’s leading scorer in the contest with two goals. Sophomore Ava Morrant and freshman Sophie Tovani also added goals in the game for the Maize and Blue.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
