IRVINE, Calif. — The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan water polo team used a 7-2 scoring run to overcome an early two-goal deficit and hung on for an 8-7 victory over No. 7 University of Hawaii at the University of California-Irvine Aquatic Center. U-M finished seventh in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, going 2-2 against opponents all ranked in the national Top 10.
Seven different Wolverines scored Sunday, led by Kim Johnson with a pair of tallies. Heidi Ritner made 11 saves in goal for Michigan, including six during the third period as part of a nearly 12-minute scoreless stretch for the Rainbow Wahine.
In a back-and-forth first half, Michigan trailed 3-1 early in the second quarter before a goal from Maddy Steere and six-on-five tallies from Danielle Johnson and Kim Johnson knotted the score, 4-4, heading to intermission.
The third quarter was pivotal, as Michigan scored twice while holding Hawaii scoreless as Ritner stopped six Rainbow Wahine shots. The Wolverines snagged their first lead of the game when Caroline Anderson scored with 6:44 left in the third period, and two minutes later Laura Jimenez‘s six-on-five goal made it 6-4.
After Hawaii scored early in the fourth quarter, Allison Skaggs immediately answered to regain the two-goal margin, and Julia Sellers put U-M up three, 8-5, with 2:54 left to play. Hawaii scored at 1:44 and 1:08 to draw within one, but the Wolverines held on for the victory.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
