Arizona State water polo advances to Final Four

No. 7 Michigan scored the game’s first and final goals, but it was what No. 4 Arizona State did in-between that decided the NCAA Tournament matchup. The Sun Devils used huge second and third periods to win 9-5 and head to the Final Four.

After Michigan’s Maddie O’Reilly opened the scoring, the Sun Devils responded with six straight scores. Bente Rogge scored twice in that span and four other ASU players added goals as well.

The Sun Devils finished with eight goals across the second and third periods.

The defense also didn’t allow another Michigan score until 6:14 left in the third period. The Wolverines added two more goals late, but the contest was already decided by that point. Keeper Chelsea Karimazondo made eight saves in the win.

Arizona State faces top-seeded USC on Saturday in the tournament’s semifinals. The Sun Devils have played USC five times this season, falling each time. However, three contests were decided by three goals or less.