Hoosiers Top Toronto in Exhibition Opener

Saturday, January 27

Bloomington, IN

10 AM

Indiana University

Toronto

1/27/2018 3:41:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Highlights Tournament Central

Indiana puts 11 players on the final score sheet; eight goals from freshman class

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The 2018 Hoosier Invitational began with a bang—and a bunch of goals—for the hosting Indiana water polo team. The Hoosiers (2-1) opened the weekend in exhibition play against Toronto University and came away with an outright 19-4 victory.

Exhibition: Indiana 19, Toronto 4 // Box Score
Team              1 – 2 – 3 – 4 | F
UT:                  1 – 0 – 2 – 1 | 4
IU:                   9 – 4 – 4 – 2 | 19

Offense: Hilovsky (3g, 2a), Crumbaugh (3g, 2a); Powell, Nacouzi, Hanling (2g, 1a)
Defense: Gaudreault & Simmons (9 saves), Kozokar (3 steals)

The first home action of the 2018 season was a bright moment for the Hoosiers, especially for their freshman class. The group of newcomers combined for eight goals, three assists, a trio of steals, and a sprint win to open the second quarter. Juli Hilovsky and Carlie Crumbaugh led IU's 11 goal-scorers, each earning a hat trick, while Jennifer Hanling added a pair of goals.

Their extended playing time in the contest came as a result of the Hoosiers' first team playing a dominant first half, outscoring the Varsity Blues 13-1 through 16 minutes. A three-headed attack from Sarah Myers, Mollie Williams, and Emily Powell created Indiana's first six goals. Joelle Nacouzi connected with Megan Abarta on a counter attack to complete Indiana's 7-0 run that opened the first quarter.

A Toronto score interrupted a second 7-0 run by Indiana, which began with scores by Nacouzi and Gillian Gatecliff in the final 90 seconds of the first. Freshmen scored all four IU goals in the second quarter, led by two from Hilovsky. On the defensive end, Jessica Gaudreault collected three saves and held Toronto scoreless in the second period.

Indiana's second unit closed out the second half and doubled Toronto's goal output in that time frame. Hilovsky completed her hat trick near the end of the third period, while Crumbaugh found her third goal midway through the fourth.

As a team, the Hoosiers put 24-of-27 shots on frame and converted 75% (3-4) of their power play opportunities.

Defensively, Indiana held Toronto to 1-of-8 in personnel advantages and made 11 combined steals, led by three swipes from Karrie Kozokar. Sophomore Davis Simmons split cage duties with Gaudreault, stopping six shots in her 16-minute shift.

Up Next: No. 12 Indiana (2-1) vs. No. 14 UC Santa Barbara (4-2)
Saturday, January 27 • 8:00 p.m. ET • Live Stats • BTN Plus • FloSwimming
Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center • Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana continues the Hoosier Invite tonight with their biggest game of the weekend, a showdown with No. 14 UC Santa Barbara. The Hoosiers and Gauchos saw each other last weekend, when the latter squad hosted the UCSB Winter Invite, but didn't face each other on the west coast.

The home pool advantage gives Indiana a chance to tie their all-time series with the Gauchos. UCSB leads the head-to-head record, 4-5, but the teams have split the last four meetings. The game is UCSB's first visit to Bloomington since IU's final pre-NCAA season in 2000.