Feb. 6, 2010

Site: Palo Alto, Calif. (Avery Stadium)
Event: Stanford Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
Scores: #1 Stanford 12, #6 Michigan 5; #6 Michigan 12, #7 San Jose State 6
Records: U-M (4-2), Stanford (4-0), San Jose State (7-2)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 7 -- vs. Southern Cal at Stanford Invitational (Palo Alto, Calif.), 8 a.m. PST

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan water polo team doubled up No. 7-ranked San Jose State, 12-6, after falling to No. 1-ranked Stanford, 12-5, on Saturday (Feb. 6) on day one of the Stanford Invitational at Avery Stadium.

Junior Sarah Roberts (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) tallied a hat trick and sophomore Morgan Turner (Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills) made 11 saves in the cage for the victory over the Spartans. Freshman Kiki Golden (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) tallied two goals in each game, while junior Alison Mantel (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) found pay dirt three times on the day. Senior Leah Robertson (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) tallied six steals to lead U-M defensively.

The Wolverines' 6-on-5 was clicking right off the bat in the second game of the day. Golden converted on Michigan's last power play of the opening stanza, denting the twine from up top to put the Maize and Blue ahead 4-1 after the first eight minutes. Michigan's offense continued to click and the defensive pressure remained high in the second stanza as U-M grew the lead to 7-3 heading into the break. The lead expanded to 9-3 as the Maize and Blue defense kept the Spartans at bay for the entirety of the third period. With the game all but in hand, the two teams went back and forth for three goals each in the final frame.

The nation's top team jumped ahead 5-2 in the first period of the opening contest. Robertson pulled U-M to within two goals on the first possession of the second stanza, but Stanford unloaded three unanswered to set up an 8-3 lead at the break. Both teams settled in defensively in the third, but after senior Terri Bukofzer (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson) capitalized on an early counter in the fourth stanza, the Cardinal offense rekindled their offense to the tune of a 12-4 lead. Golden capped the scoring with a lob shot that found the back of the net with two minutes remaining.

Michigan will finish out pool play against No. 2-ranked Southern Cal on Sunday (Feb. 7) at 8 a.m. PST. The game will be played in the Baker pool in order to allow enough rest time for all teams before heading into the championship round Sunday afternoon in Avery Stadium.

GAME SUMMARIES