IRVINE, Calif. — A five-goal run by No. 8-ranked University of the Pacific Pacific led to an 8-6 victory over the No. 9 University of Michigan water polo team to lead off the Barbara Kalbus Invitational hosted by the University of California-Irvine.
After Michigan took a two-goal lead at 5-3 with 1:59 to play in the third quarter, Pacific scored five straight goals. The run covered nearly the rest of the game, as the fifth straight goal came with 34 seconds remaining. The Wolverines were able to get one more late goal on a penalty shot by Maddy Steere, but the damage had been done.
Michigan’s defense was brilliant in the first half, holding Pacific to only two goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Heidi Ritner had 10 of her 14 saves in the first half. She added four more saves in the third quarter, but the Tigers owned the fourth quarter, scoring on all four of their shots on goal.
U-M had a 3-2 lead at halftime after junior Kim Johnson scored two goals in the first quarter. Freshman Maddy Johnston also finished the game with two goals to go with two steals.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
