LEWISBURG, Pa. — The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan water polo team defeated No. 21 Long Island University, 15-11, during the final day of the Bucknell Invitational hosted by Bucknell University at the Kinney Natatorium.
The Wolverines were led by Sammi Monroe with four goals and Kata Utassy with two goals and two assists. Alex Brown made nine saves to accompany an assist.
In the first quarter, Monroe got Michigan started with a cross-cage shot just 38 seconds into the game. Ava Morrant found the back of the net on a counterattack, then two minutes later again for her second goal of the game. Monroe capitalized on a six-on-five power play to give Michigan a 4-2 lead at the end of the first.
Utassy scored back-to-back goals to start the second quarter. The first came from a penalty and the second came from a half-court shot. Alison Lock would net her first goal of the game just 20 seconds after Utassy. The Sharks would then answer with two in a row. Libby Alsemgeest and Ashley O’Neill each chipped in one goal before the end of the first half to give U-M a 9-4 lead.
The second half was quite a bit closer with the Sharks outscoring the Wolverines, 7-6. LIU found the back of the net first score in the third quarter, but Issy Jackson provided Michigan its five-point lead back with a goal of her own. O’Neill, Monroe and Lock each netted one goal to help the Wolverines hold a five-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Fiona Young started off the final quarter with a half-court shot and Monroe hit her fourth goal of the game.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
