Wolverines Blank Biola in Season Opener – University of Michigan Athletics

» Libby Alsemgeest scored her first hat trick of the 2023 season.
» Alex Brown recorded 14 saves to help Michigan blank Biola.
» Lulu Hirschfield, Riley Chapple and Brooke Ingram each scored their first U-M goals.
» Ten different Wolverines scored.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo had 10 different players tally a goal, including three from Libby Alsemgeest, to blank Biola 14-0 in the Wolverines’ season opener Friday (Jan. 13) on the first day of the ASU Cross Conference Challenge at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

The shutout was the first for Michigan (1-0) since it blanked Mount St. Mary’s 16-0 in the 2021 CWPA Championship semifinal in Ann Arbor, and it marked the first victory under head coach Cassie Churnside.

The Maize and Blue came storming out of the gate with a goal by Erin Neustrom just 16 seconds into the quarter with a blistering shot from the two-meter line. Not even 40 seconds later, Lola Ciruli got in on the fun, finding the back of the net at just 54 seconds into the quarter. Ava Morrant capitalized on a penalty shot to put Michigan up 3-0 with four minutes left in the first. Alsemgeest scored back-to-back goals to end the first quarter and put U-M ahead 5-0.

It took Michigan a little bit longer to score in the second quarter, but Neustrom found the back of the net for the second time with five minutes left in the quarter. Freshman Brooke Ingram converted on Michigan’s second penalty, scoring her first goal as a Wolverine — the last goal of the first half — to give Michigan a 7-0 lead.

U-M scored a quick five goals in the third quarter, two of which came on penalties scored by Lulu Hirschfield and Elise Walker. Kata Utassy found the back of the net with an assist from Ciruli just three minutes into the quarter. Alsemgeest completed a hat trick after she found the back of the net on a two-meter bullet from Riley Chapple. Morrant got the rebound off the crossbar for an easy putback to make it 10-0, Michigan.

Michigan slowed things down in the final quarter, putting two in the back of the net late. Chapple converted on Michigan’s four penalties of the day, scoring her first goal as a Wolverine. The final goal came from Sammi Monroe thanks to Morrant.

Michigan was 4-for-4 on penalty shots for the contest and shot 58 percent (14-for-24) from the field for the game. Alex Brown collected 14 saves against Biola (0-1).

The Wolverines will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 14) for day two of the ASU Cross Conference Classic, taking on California Baptist at 9 a.m. MST, followed by Azusa Pacific at 11 a.m. MST.