Friday, Feb. 24: ASU Edges Out Long Beach State
No. 5 Sun Devil water polo opened the 2017 Barbara Kalbus Invitational with a 9-5 win over Long Beach State Friday afternoon.
The team was led by juniors Claudia Abad and Lena Mihailovic with three goals each. Sophomore Maud Koopman was close behind, adding a pair of goals.
It was smooth sailing for the Sun Devils from the start as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with Abad and Alkistis Benekou’s scores. After pressing hard in the second quarter, ASU was able to add another goal by Koopman to end the half.
Goalkeeper Mia Rycraw shut down Long Beach all afternoon, recording 13 saves on the day. Rycraw’s lockdown defense was an important component in the victory, but it was ultimately the offensive efforts by Abad, Benekou and freshman Aria Hueso in the second half that gave ASU the extra push.
No. 5 ASU begins the weekend with a 9-5 win over LBSU! Sun Devils will be back in the pool tomorrow at 10:15 am to face Cal. pic.twitter.com/8ve7Hu5qan
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) February 25, 2017
"We pressed a lot in a really high pressure game," Head coach Todd Clapper said. "This worked really well for us."
Saturday, Feb. 25: ASU Splits Doubleheader
After coming out strong in their first contest, the Sun Devils split their second day of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.
In the first game, the Sun Devils fought hard against No. 4 California.
The Bears and ASU remained neck and neck heading into the second, and thanks to back-to-back goals by Lena Mihailovic and PJ Allin, the Sun Devils were able to take a 3-2 lead heading into the final minutes of play. Unfortunately, that lead would not last as Cal responded quickly with two unanswered goals in the final minute of the first half.
ASU had trouble fighting back in the second half, despite a goal in the third by Maud Koopman. The Bears would end up scoring seven unanswered goals to knock off the Sun Devils 10-4.
No. 5 ASU falls to No. 4 Cal in clash of top-5 teams. ASU will face No. 8 Michigan at 2:30 AZT. #ForksUp
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) February 25, 2017
Later, ASU earned a much needed victory over No. 8 Michigan in the final game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
The Sun Devils jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with goals by Bente Rogge and Alkistis Benekou. Michigan responded with a goal midway through the second period, but it was Stephanie Contreras that helped ASU back to a two goal lead heading into the half.
The Sun Devils and Wolverines traded goals throughout the second half, but it was a back-to-back goals by Michigan and a crucial fourth-quarter point by the Wolverines that forced the Sun Devils into their first overtime match of the year.
Michigan broke out first in extra time when Julia Sellers added a goal with two seconds remaining in the first overtime period. Mihailovic responded in the second overtime period with a much needed goal in the final two minutes of play, but it was Benekou’s game saving play with two seconds remaining that allowed the Sun Devils to swim away with a 7-6 victory.
Sun Devils end the Saturday doubleheader in Irvine with a win over No. 8 Michigan, 7-6, in OT! pic.twitter.com/kRC12Fayx5
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) February 25, 2017
Sunday, Feb. 26: ASU finishes tournament strong with win over UC-Irvine
In their final matchup of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, the Sun Devils took on No. 6 UC-Irvine, who they faced earlier this season in a rainy day game.
Things started out strong for ASU after they were able to put up three scores in the first half to lead the Anteaters 3-2.
However, UC-Irvine staged a comeback and tied the game at four a piece. The Sun Devils were able to pull away in the fourth quarter after going on an 8-3 run to end the game.
This victory marked the third of the tournament and allowed the Sun Devils to finish fifth in what head coach Todd Clapper said was one of the most difficult tournaments.
"Most of the weekend we were creating opportunities in the first three games," Clapper said. "But we weren't finishing very well, at times we lacked a little bit of confidence in those situations, but we liked the opportunities we were creating."
That confidence on the offensive and defensive side of the pool will continue to grow as the rest of the season continues.
"The biggest difference between those first three games and the final one is that we were creating those opportunities," Clapper said. "Now we're starting to see them shoot with confidence."
No. 5 ASU Water Polo finishes fifth at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, with 12-7 win over UC Irvine! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/zuVzXNBM4s
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) February 26, 2017
The Sun Devils will now have a quick turnaround after this weekend with the Wolverine Invitational on March 4-5.
Reach the reporter at klbroder@asu.edu or follow @KellyB1459 on Twitter.
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