Alison Mantel

IRVINE, Calif. -- The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan water polo team finished in eighth place at the University of California-Irvine Invitational after slipping to No. 8-ranked Arizona State University, 11-6, and No. 10-ranked San Jose State University, 10-3, at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.

Junior Alison Mantel (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) had a hat trick against the Sun Devils as part of a four-goal day for the Wolverines. Freshman Alex Adamson (Coronado, Calif./Coronado) split time in both games, making 11 saves.

Mantel got her first goal of the day in the first period against ASU, scoring a nearside goal on the power play to make it a 2-1 contest. However, the Sun Devils scored six unanswered to carry an 8-1 lead into the break. Junior Keller Felt (La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla) broke up the scoring run, finding freshman Lauren Colton (Tustin, Calif./Tesoro) on a counter attack to make it 9-2. Mantel and junior Cara Reitz (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) followed suit to pull U-M back within five goals at the end of three periods. The surge proved not to be enough as time ran out before the comeback could be completed.

Michigan struggled to find a scoring rhythm against San Jose State, scoring once in the first, second and fourth frames. SJSU carried a 6-2 lead into the half and held the Wolverines at bay in the second half.

The Maize and Blue will join the field of the Elite Eight next weekend (Sat-Sun., March 6-7) in Bloomington, Ind. The Wolverines will open the tournament with Bucknell University on Saturday (March 6) at 10 a.m.

Release courtesy Michigan Athletic Communications