Water Polo takes home Fifth at MPSF | ASU Sun Devil Athletics
LOS ANGELES – In the final game of the 2025 season, No. 6 seed Arizona State (19-9, 1-5 MPSF) upset No. 5 seed San Jose State (13-13, 2-4 MPSF) 16-6 at Spieker Aquatics Center Sunday afternoon.
After a heartbreaking loss on senior day a few weeks ago, Arizona State was able to claim the successful rematch victory today against San Jose State. Itziar Almeda put on a masterclass after her eight point performance complete with five goals and three assists.
Senior goaltender Marie Rudasics was able to play one last time as she played the last four minutes and 43 seconds of the game. Rudasics had 32 saves and a 62.7% save percentage in her last season as a Sun Devil.
GAME NOTABLES
- The Sun Devils were able to win all four of their sprints today, only the fourth time they were able to do so this season. Kat Featherstone, Layla Smith, and Ani Pamp all contributed to complete this feat.
- Itziar Almeda had her fourth game where she scored eight plus points this season. She tallied eight points (5G, 3A) today, the highest of any player in the match.
- ASU had seven field blocks, a new season high.
- Keri Glad and Marie Rudasics both saw time in between the pipes today. Senior goaltender Rudasics suited up for the last time and was able to tally a save.
- By scoring in today's match, Millie Quin extended her point streak to 88 points. Over the course of 19 games, she has netted 68 goals and 20 assists.
- She had three points (1G, 2A) against San Jose State today which is only her second time this season where she had more assists than goals.
- The Sun Devil defense was a force to be reckoned with as they never allowed the Spartans to score more than one goal at a time.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Itziar Almeda got the jump for the Sun Devils where she quickly fired off two goals within a minute of each other. San Jose State was able to net their first goal, but Kinga Hnatyszyn put a stop to a potential run one minute later. Layla Smith was able to score one and Itziar Almeda completed the hat trick in the first quarter to be up 5-1 after the first eight minutes.
After almost four minutes of no scoring, Sophie Shorter-Robinson spurred some action with a goal with help from Itziar Almeda. Molly Glad netted two more goals heading into the half to give the Sun Devils an 8-2 lead.
Itziar Almeda continued to find the back of the net by scoring her fourth goal 25 seconds into the second half. Millie Quin and Karly Frangieh each tacked on a goal to add some insurance for the Maroon and Gold.
It only took 21 seconds for Sophie Shorter-Robinson to score once more, again with help from Itziar Almeda. Kinga Hnatyszyn then scored with exactly six minutes remaining. After the Spartans committed a penalty, Itziar Almeda was able to add one more to the total with her penalty goal. Alison Kokorowski and Hannah McClaskey sealed the Sun Devil victory with their goals to claim the win, 16-6.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Follow Sun Devil Water Polo on Twitter/X @sundevilwp, Instagram @sundevilwaterpolo and Facebook all-season long during the 2025 season for coverage of the team.
