2017 MPSF Women's Water Polo ChampionshipsApr 28, 2017
No. 5 Cal vs. No. 4 ASU MPSF Water Polo Preview
No. 5 Cal vs. No. 4 ASU MPSF Water Polo Preview
Fifth-seeded Cal takes on No. 4 seed Arizona State at the MPSF Water Polo Championships on Saturday. This in-depth preview tells you what to look for during this pivotal game.
An NCAA tournament berth is almost a guarantee for the top three seeded teams at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women's Water Polo Championships this weekend in Westwood, CA. However, for No. 4 seed Arizona State and No. 5 seed Cal, notching a win in their first-round clash on Friday at 2:30 PM PT is a MUST if either team wants to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament in May.
Let's take a look at the storylines and the players to watch heading into this key matchup at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center.
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This season, the two teams split, with ASU losing the first game 10-4 and winning the second matchup 7-6. It is important to note that these two teams are defensive juggernauts, so Saturday's battle likely won't feature a high score.
Madeline Trabucco: An all-star goalie who averages just over five goals per game, ranking her among the best in the MPSF
Dora Antal: A driver who ranks fourth all-time in scoring for Cal (189 goals)
Anna Illes: Has posted 121 goals in her career -- among Cal's all-time best.
ARIZONA STATE
Mia Rycraw: Key to ASU success this year as a total juggernaut in goal
Lena Mihailovic: The top goal scorer for ASU this season with 43 goals already
Maud Koopman: An offensive threat, just off Mihailovic's pace with 39 goals this season
The MPSF tournament will undoubtedly witness a defensive masterpiece between Cal and ASU on Saturday, but the key difference-maker in the game could be the scoring firepower on either side of the ball. Predictions, anyone? Let us know.
Game 2: 12:45 PM (No. 3 USC vs. No. 6 San Jose State)
Game 3: 2:30 PM (No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Cal)
*No. 1 UCLA receives a bye
Game 5: 12:45 PM (Winners Games 1 & 2)
Game 6: 2:30 PM (No. 1 UCLA vs. Winner Game 3)
*Loser of Game 3 receives a bye
Game 8: 12:45 PM -- Third-place game (Losers Games 5 & 6)
Game 9: 2:30 PM -- Championship game (Winners Games 5 & 6)
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Let's take a look at the storylines and the players to watch heading into this key matchup at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center.
FloPRO Subscribers gain access to LIVE Streamed Events, Technique Videos, and more.
The Matchup:
Arizona State and Cal have a history of close meetings. Nine of the teams' past 11 games have been decided by just one goal.This season, the two teams split, with ASU losing the first game 10-4 and winning the second matchup 7-6. It is important to note that these two teams are defensive juggernauts, so Saturday's battle likely won't feature a high score.
Players To Watch:
CALMadeline Trabucco: An all-star goalie who averages just over five goals per game, ranking her among the best in the MPSF
Dora Antal: A driver who ranks fourth all-time in scoring for Cal (189 goals)
Anna Illes: Has posted 121 goals in her career -- among Cal's all-time best.
ARIZONA STATE
Mia Rycraw: Key to ASU success this year as a total juggernaut in goal
Lena Mihailovic: The top goal scorer for ASU this season with 43 goals already
Maud Koopman: An offensive threat, just off Mihailovic's pace with 39 goals this season
The MPSF tournament will undoubtedly witness a defensive masterpiece between Cal and ASU on Saturday, but the key difference-maker in the game could be the scoring firepower on either side of the ball. Predictions, anyone? Let us know.
Schedule:
(All times listed are Pacific Time)Friday, April 28
Game 1: 11 AM (No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 7 CSU Bakersfield)Game 2: 12:45 PM (No. 3 USC vs. No. 6 San Jose State)
Game 3: 2:30 PM (No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Cal)
*No. 1 UCLA receives a bye
Saturday, April 29
Game 4: 11 AM (Losers Games 1 & 2)Game 5: 12:45 PM (Winners Games 1 & 2)
Game 6: 2:30 PM (No. 1 UCLA vs. Winner Game 3)
*Loser of Game 3 receives a bye
Sunday, April 30
Game 7: 11 AM -- Fifth-place game (Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5-6)Game 8: 12:45 PM -- Third-place game (Losers Games 5 & 6)
Game 9: 2:30 PM -- Championship game (Winners Games 5 & 6)
How To Watch
ON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today!STREAMING: Available for FloPRO Subscribers only on FloSwimming. SIGN UP HERE
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