No. 8 Michigan Handles Bucknell and No. 18 Indiana on Day One of 2010 Elite Eight Tournament

Alison Mantel

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan water polo team surged in the final period of the nightcap to preserve a day-one sweep of the Elite Eight, downing Bucknell University, 13-7, and No. 18-ranked/host Indiana University, 7-6, on March 6 at the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center.

Junior Alison Mantel (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) had a hat trick and playmaker (three assists) in each game to pace the Maize and Blue offense with 12 points. Freshman Alex Adamson (Coronado, Calif./Coronado) got both wins on the day, combining for 18 saves over seven periods. Junior Lauren Orth (Poway, Calif./Poway) had four goals on the day, including a hat trick against the Bison and the game-winner against the Hoosiers.

The Wolverines found themselves in an unfamiliar situation against Indiana, trailing 6-4 with eight minutes to play. Sophomore Meagan Cobb (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) ignited the comeback, scoring twice at two meters to tie the game at 6-6 with 5:32 to play. With the series' 11th overtime looming, Michigan called upon Orth to take a five-meter penalty toss with 35 seconds left. Orth seized the opportunity and slammed home the deciding goal. Adamson made the lead stick with a save on the Hoosiers final trip down the pool.

Michigan carried a 7-4 lead into halftime with Bucknell before opening the flood gates in the third period. In a five-minute span, the Wolverines unloaded five unanswered goals to put the game out of reach, led by Mantel, who had a goal and two assists during the flurry. Junior Keller Felt (La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla) scored from Mantel and freshman Kiki Golden (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) got one of her own on a pair of counter attack goals to kick off the onslaught. Freshman Lauren Colton (Tustin, Calif./Tesoro) followed her classmate with a marker at two meters before Mantel scored her own and then set up Orth on matching counter attack goals. With a 12-4 lead at the end of the third period, the Maize and Blue cruised to the finish with victory at hand.

Michigan will play No. 11-ranked Hartwick College in the first-place game of the Elite Eight on Sunday (March 7) in Bloomington, Ind. Opening sprint is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Michigan Goals: Mantel 3, Orth 3, Felt 2, Reitz 2, Colton 1, Golden 1, Bukofzer 1
Michigan Saves: Adamson 4, May 3
Bucknell Goals: Canonica 1, Kennan 1, McNally 1, Morgan 1, Palencia 1, Rozas 1, Skonezney 1
Bucknell Saves: Carter 7

Michigan Goals: Mantel 3, Cobb 2, Felt 1, Orth 1
Michigan Saves: Adamson 12
Indiana Goals: Kohli 2, Redder 2, Palmberg 1, L. Wyckoff 1
Indiana Saves: C. Wyckoff 14

Release courtesy Michigan Athletic Communications