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Six-Goal Fourth Period Powers No. 8 Michigan Past Gannon, 11-7
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan water polo team scored six times in the final stanza en route to an 11-7 win over Gannon University on Day Two of the Fluid Five at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.
Juniors Alison Mantel (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) and Lauren Orth (Poway, Calif./Poway) paced the Wolverines with two goals apiece, sparking the second-half surge that led to the victory. Fifth-year senior Brittany May (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara) made five saves en route to the 51st victory of her career.
Tied at 5-5 heading into the final period, Orth got off on a counter attack and scored to put Michigan on top. Mantel built the lead to 8-5 with a pair of power-play goals and the Wolverines continued to roll with goals from junior Keller Felt (La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla), freshman Lauren Colton (Tustin, Calif./Tesoro) and senior Casie Kelly (Longwood, Fla./Lake Brantley).
Trailing by one goal after the opening frame, Michigan used a diverse attack in the second stanza to create a 4-3 lead at the break. Freshman Mia Butera (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) scored from the perimeter followed by a shot on the post from sophomore Roxanne Mansfield (San Mateo, Calif./St. Francis). Freshman Kiki Golden (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) scored on a counter attack to end the first-half scoring.
Orth scored late in the third period on a shot in the water to level the score at five apiece with one period to play.
The Wolverines return home and look to clinch their fifth CWPA Western Division title on Saturday (April 3) against Indiana. The opening sprint is slated for 1 p.m. and the game will air nationally on tape-delay at 9 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
Release courtesy Michigan Athletic Communications
