No. 10 Michigan Downs UC-San Diego, Colorado State for 250th Win in Program History

Brittany May

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- With a pair of victories to open the 2010 campaign, the No. 10 ranked University of Michigan water polo team became the first NCAA team in the modern era to reach 250 wins, defeating University of California-San Diego, 11-8, in the season opener before dispelling Colorado State University by a 14-6 tally at the Michigan Kick-Off on Saturday, January 23 at home inside Canhanm Natatorium.

The first program of the modern era to reach 250 wins, U-M improved to 250-105-1 all-time. with the two victories today.  The modern era began in 2001 -- the same year as Michigan's inaugural season -- with the establishment of an NCAA Championship.

Junior Alison Mantel (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) posted a pair of two goal-games, tallying a total of five points and five steals on the day. Freshman Lauren Colton (Tustin, Calif./Tesoro) had the lone U-M hat trick, netting four goals in the first period against the Rams. Meanwhile, senior Leah Robertson (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) made her own history, reaching the 300-steal plateau for her career in the first quarter against UC San Diego.

All five U-M goalies saw time in the cage with fifth-year senior Brittany May (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara) leading the way with seven saves in the opener. Sophomore Claire Ivry (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte) picked up four thefts, second only to Mantel on the day.

The milestone victory came with an all-hands effort as 27 Wolverines saw action and 14 registered points against Colorado State. Michigan exploded for nine goals in the first frame led by Mantel, who had two goals and two assists, and a four-goal outburst by Colton. The Maize and Blue continued to roll, holding an 11-4 lead at the break.

Freshman Alex Adamson (Coronado, Calif./Coronado) took over in the cage for the third period and made three stops in her debut. After being held off the scoreboard in the third frame, Michigan's offense reignited in the final stanza as freshman Mia Butera (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) tallied the first two goals of her career. Fellow rookie Mary Sweeney (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos) capped the game with a floater from eight meters out that found pay dirt midway through the final period.

Michigan started off the season with an emphasis on defense, earning 18 steals against UC San Diego. Despite never trailing in the contest, it was not until the second half that the Wolverines really pulled away from the game. U-M jumped ahead 6-3 less than a minute into the third stanza on a Robertson goal on the right side off a pass from junior Keller Felt (La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla).

After a pair of goals from junior Lauren Orth (Poway, Calif./Poway) built the Michigan lead to 8-4 midway through the third period, Robertson netted the game-winning goal off a pass from May that sailed over three-quarters of the pool to the charging senior, who stunted before slamming a shot home. UC San Diego scored four of the final five goals in the contest, split up by a long blast from junior Sarah Roberts (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor), but the Maize and Blue had already put the game out of reach.

The Wolverines will face a pair of Top-10 foes on Sunday, January 24 when they dive in against defending national champion and third-ranked University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) at 9:15 a.m., before squaring off with No. 6 San Diego State University at 1 p.m.

GAME SUMMARIES

UCSD Goals: Jessica Tran 2, Audra Bloom 2, Stephanie Heinrich 2, Ali McNamera, Kirsten Bates.
U-M Goals: Lauren Orth 2, Leah Robertson 2, Alison Mantel 2, Sarah Roberts, Kiki Golden, Lauren Colton, Cara Reitz, Megan Mulder.
Saves: U-M 7 (Brittany May 7, Tara Brigham 0), UCSD 10 (Markayla Quane)
Ejections: U-M 8, UCSD 9

CSU Goals: Ali Pavlik 4, Caroline Young, Sarah Ostling.
U-M Goals: Lauren Colton 4, Alison Mantel 2, Katie Cutler 2, Mia Butera 2, Sarah Roberts, Mary Sweeney.
Saves: U-M 5 (Morgan Turner 2, Alex Adamson 3, Marley Andrews 0), CSU 5 (Kayley Provow)
Ejections: U-M 8, CSU 6

Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletic Communications