Water Polo Splits Weekend Series With No. 2 Stanford
TEMPE, ARIZ.-- The Arizona State water polo team was unable to pull off back-to-back upsets in Mona Plummer after Stanford pulled away in the fourth period of Sunday's game. After holding off Stanford on Saturday, the Sun Devils (7-4) took one of two conference games against the Cardinal (1-1).
The Sun Devils started off slow offensively after winning the opening sprint, but Stanford scored three early goals in the first period and kept the lead throughout the game. ASU was able to cut the Stanford lead to one headed into the fourth period, but the Cardinal defense kept them off the board as the comeback efforts fell short.
Freshman Luca Petovary continued her hot streak with the Sun Devils and has scored a goal in 11 straight games totaling 27 goals on the season. Bori Kekesi was the leading Sun Devil scorer with two goals against Stanford. Bente Rogge, Blaire McDowell, and Lara kiss each recorded a goal against the Cardinal.
BEHIND-THE-BACK BENTE ROGGE ??
ASU 3 | STAN 6
3rd- 6:10 pic.twitter.com/VFljoL7eCN— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) March 7, 2021
UP NEXT: The Sun Devils will have a week of rest before hosting San Jose State for three games at Mona Plummer March 20-21. The first conference game will take place Saturday at 1:00 PM MST, and the second conference game will take place in the first of two games Sunday at 10:00 AM MST and 2:00 PM MST. All games will be available to watch via the Arizona State Live Stream.
HOW IT HAPPENED: ASU 6, Stanford 12
- Stanford scored three early goals in the first period, but Lara Kiss got the Sun Devils on the board at the 1:40 mark in the first period.
- Sun Devils were held to just one goal in both of the first two periods.
- Down 6-2 at the half, Itzahiana Baca replaced Chelsea Karimazondo in net to start the third period.
- ASU was unable to capitalize on power plays scoring a goal on just one of 10 opportunities.
- Defensively the Sun Devils held Stanford to just three goals on 10 power play opportunities.
- The Sun Devils scored four goals in the third period to bring them within one headed into the final period.
- Three straight behind-the-back goals from Bente Rogge, Blaire McDowell, and Bori Kekesi kept ASU in striking distance.
- Stanford pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring five goals and not allowing ASU to score.