No. 4 ASU water polo traveled to traveled to California for a weekend double header against No. 2 UCLA and No. 14 SDSU.
The Sun Devils came off an explosive weekend in which they swept No. 11 San Jose and CSU Monterey Bay. They scored 28 total goals in the match and left with a 17-5 record (3-2 Pac-12).
This weekend, ASU had its hands full with a talented UCLA team. On Friday, the Sun Devils were defeated 16-6 by the No. 2 Bruins and junior Alexa Telmann, who scored four goals.
Senior center India Foster attacked early, giving UCLA a 2-0 lead. ASU came back attacking, getting goals from Maud Koopman and Daisy Carter to even the score. It didn't last long — UCLA juniors Mackenzie Barr and Ashley Zwirner scored a goal apiece, putting UCLA ahead going into the second quarter.
Senior center Abbey Kerth was able to cut the deficit to one, but UCLA grabbed points back. Going into the half, the Bruins led 7-4. They continued to groove in the third quarter, going on a 6-2 scoring run in which four different players scored.
UCLA lead 13-6 heading into the final quarter.
The Bruin defense held ASU scoreless in the final frame and put three more in. UCLA has now defeated ASU in 18 of nineteen contests. The Bruins are 21-3 and 4-1 in MPSF play.
The Sun Devils got a chance to redeem themselves on Sunday against No, 14 San Diego State. ASU won 9-3, picking up its 18th victory of the year.
It's just the fourth time in program history that ASU has won 18 games.
The offensive standout was senior freshman attacker Maud Koopmam, who had three goals. Daisy Carter, Lena Mihailovic and Katie Sverchek each added two of their own. ASU converted four of its seven power play attempts, and in the cage, sophomore Mia Rycraw was dominant once again.
She matched her career-high 18 saves, and only allowed one goal when ASU was at even strength.
The Sun Devils went on a 7-1 run to seal the deal and take the victory. With the win, they clinched the No. 4 seed in the MPSF Conference Tournament. Action will begin on Friday, April 29 in Bakersfield, California.
Reach the reporter at chaz.frazier@asu.edu or follow @chaz_frazier on Twitter.
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