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Water Polo Scores Third-Most Goals in Program History in Sweep of CBU

by thesundevils.com
Feb 20, 2021

TEMPE, ARIZ.-- The Arizona State water polo team extended its undefeated streak over CBU to 13 games with a doubleheader sweep of California Baptist (0-4) on Saturday at Mona Plummer. ASU's 23 goals in game two ties the record for third-most goals scored in a game in program history. 

Saturday's event was ASU's (5-0) second same-day sweep in as many weekends. The Sun Devils swept San Diego last weekend before bringing the heat to CBU with a pair of wins: 15-3 and 23-9. ASU held CBU to only three goals in game one of the doubleheader - the lowest score of an opponent all season. 
 

Freshman attacker Luca Petovary led the goal-scoring efforts in game one with three and an assist. Game two was all hands on deck as 10 different Sun Devils found the back of the net, including six who notched a multi-goal game. Junior Blaire McDowell and senior Emma Fraser led the squad with four goals a piece.

UP NEXT: The Sun Devils host the ASU Invitational at Mona Plummer on Feb. 26-28 against USC and Michigan. The tournament features two highly-ranked teams and six games over the three-day weekend. ASU opens the weekend with a doubleheader on Friday against USC at 9:00 a.m. and Michigan at 1:30 p.m.. ASU faces USC again on Saturday morning before closing out tournament play against Michigan on Sunday afternoon. Sun Devil Athletics events are closed to fans per Pac-12 Conference Guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Next weekend we're bringing in two highly ranked teams in to play and with the four games, that will be really exciting," head coach Todd Clapper said. "Then we have Stanford following that so it will be a tough two weekend stretch and it will be exciting to see what we can do!"

GAME ONE, ASU 15, CBU 3
HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Sun Devils start strong and controlled the offensive efforts with accurate passing and smart shot selection and earned the early lead, going up 6-1 through the first frame
  • After winning the second sprint of the game, ASU took about two minutes until the first goal of the period was scored. Once the offense clicked, the Sun Devils scored three goals within 90 seconds.  
  • ASU scored three more goals in the fourth period to complete the first defeat of CBU, 15-3
  • ASU went four-for-four on penalty shots, beating CBU's netminders on all occasions
  • Offense was a full-team effort as 10 different players who scored goals. 
  • ASU had a .517 shooting percentage making 15 of their 29 shots taken. 
  • Goalie Itzahiana Baca led the defense and held CBU to two goals in the two periods she played. As the backstop of the defense, Baca earned a shining moment for the offensive - collecting an assist on a perfectly placed throw that led to an ASU goal
  • At the start of the second half Belen Ehinger jumped in the water and only let in one goal and had four saves. 

GAME TWO: ASU 23, CBU 9
HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • The Lady Devils started the second game with a well built offense and goal in the first minute by No. 2, McDowell. Their amount of teamwork really showed this game as they played aggressively and diligently as a whole allowing them to finish 6-1 for the first period. 
  • Senior Bente Rogge kicked off the second period with a goal within the first twenty-three seconds and an easy goal for Lara Kiss was shot giving Arizona State a seven point lead. 
  • Freshman Alba Olivé Martí fueled the high-scoring match with two straight shots back-to-back, keeping ASU with a high advantage over California Baptist University, finishing the first half with a strong lead of 13-5. 
  • Being one of the top goalies of the MPSF, Goalie Itzahiana Baca had an unstoppable defense saving shots by California Baptist, helping the Sun Devils keep the game in their control. 
  • Senior Emma Fraser established the team's dominance with four total goals, several being consecutive goals, finalizing with a score of 20-6 Arizona State for the third period. 
  • Freshman Abby Begg wrapped up the game with succeeding goals leading the team with a solid 23-9 advantage, taking home the well deserved victory. 
  • The 23 goals scored ties a record set in 2014 at No. 3 for the program's most goals scored in a game. Most goals ever scored in a game stands at 25 in 2009.  

QUOTES FROM COACH CLAPPER

"This game was good. I thought sometimes defensively we let up a bit towards the end but we came out with such a strong start and those are just situations we have to figure out. The first weekend we were a little up and down but today I saw Abby and Emma score some confident goals, our centers played a lot better. Blaire and Laura scored some solid goals and Bente really showed up offensively. I think we're looking really good."
 

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