San Jose, Calif.-----Rae Lekness scored five times leading #9-San Jose State University to a 9-4 women's water polo win over #10-University of Michigan in a non-conference match.

            The Spartans' win was their third in a row and second over the Wolverines (1-5) in a seven-day span. San Jose State (4-1) defeated Michigan, 9-6, on January 20 in the Michigan Kick-Off Tournament.

            Lekness scored twice in the first and third quarters and once in the fourth for the Spartans. For the freshman from Calgary, Alberta, 11 of her season total of 16 goals are against Michigan.

          "My teammates are setting me up really well. Sometimes, there are teams that you can score against and Michigan seems to be my team," said Lekness. "I'm trying to work hard on every shift, get to the front of the net, go to my position and put the ball in the back of the net."

            Teammate Timi Molnar was San Jose State's other multi-goal scorer in the match with three. Her first score to open the second quarter broke a 3-3 first-quarter tie and the Spartans never trailed the rest of the match.

            San Jose State goalkeeper Maddie Reardon was credited with nine saves. Michigan goalkeeper Alex Adamson stopped eight Spartan shots.

             "The players did a real nice job with their defense. we've been pushing that. We have some players that can score, but sometimes we get wrapped up in that," said San Jose State head coach Lou Tully, whose team kept Michigan off the scoreboard for a 25:09 stretch in the match from the first ino the fourth quarter. "We did a nice job, particularly in the second half."

            Kiki Golden led the Wolverines in scoring with two first-quarter goals.

            "They (Michigan) came out stronger this time. We were tied in the first quarter and we had to stay strong throughout the whole game. Whereas, last time, they were down and we stayed ahead," said team captain Kimber Methvin about the two wins over Michigan. "This time, we had to stick together, stay positive and captialize on their mistakes."

               The Spartans were 4-of-11 on the power play and Lekness converted a third-quarter penalty shot. Michigan was 1-of-10 on the power play and went scoreless on a 6-on-4 power play in the first quarter.

            San Jose State returns to action next Saturday, February 2 in the two-day Stanford Invitational. The Spartans will play UC Davis, Hartwick, #1-ranked Stanford and a fourth opponent.

San Jose State University Women's Water Polo

The Aquatic Center, San Jose, Calif.

January 26, 2013

Goal Scoring

Michigan - Kiki Golden, 2; Presley Pender, 1; Gabriella Serure, 1.
San Jose State - Rae Lekness, 5; Timi Molnar, 3; Rachel Henry, 1.

Goalkeeper Saves

Michigan - Alex Adamson - 8.
San Jose State - Maddie Reardon, 9.

Ejections

Michigan - 12.
San Jose State - 10.