(Tempe, AZ) No. 10 Sun Devil Water Polo once again put up double digits in the 16-7 victory over Biola University to improve to 3-0 on the season and conclude day two of the Cross Conference Challenge. To close out the opening weekend, Arizona State hosts No. 7 Michigan tomorrow, on January 15 back at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. The game starts at 9 am MST and can be viewed via the Arizona State Live Stream.
Junior attacker Luca Petovary was all gas and no breaks yet again and recorded six goals and three assists to bring her to 15 goals on the season, nearly reaching the midway point of her goal total last season where she had 32.
Head coach Petra Pardi spoke on the spectacular performance of her Hungarian attacker, “It’s no surprise that she’s performing so well early in the season. I’ve seen her hard work and the laser focus that she’s had in the offseason.”
Petovary’s nine points are also tied for second most in a game behind Vanda Baksa’sprogram-record 10 points on March 12, 2022 against Harvard. Five of Petovary’s six goals came in the first half providing ASU an 11-4 lead at the midway point.
“I get 100% trust from this coaching staff and it helps me a lot in the water. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without my team, including those goals that we all worked for,” noted Petovary after setting a new career high in goals and assists.
For the second straight day three of the four goalies on the roster saw time for the Sun Devils after Itzahiana Baca got the start, and Alexa Knutson and Molly Ostrowski splitting the second half of play.
The defense played a large part in the win, and helped out the goalie trio, led by senior defender Lara Kiss and Luca Petovary, who each recorded five steals totaling 10 of the team’s 22. The defensive attack continued with Baca who allowed four goals through the first half. Knutson allowed the next two goals, and Ostrowski gave up just one goal in the final frame of the game to close it out.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Claudia Schwartz, Media Relations Student Assistant
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