Indiana University Athletics
Peterson & USA Win Gold
8/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Boca Raton, Fla. - Indiana University sophomore Krista Peterson netted one goal as the U.S. women's junior water polo team concluded its sweep at the Junior Pan American Championships, downing Canada 7-5 in the gold medal game to secure a berth at next year's FINA Junior World Championships.
The USA women pummeled opponents all week long in Boca Raton en route to Sunday's final. The two-goal victory over Canada was, by far, its smallest margin of victory.
Kelly Rulon, the tournament's top scorer with 15 goals, opened the U.S. scoring with 5:08 to play in the first, and Kristina Kunkel added another at the 1:02 mark to make the score 2-0. Peterson gave the U.S. a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter on a player-advantage goal.
Peterson, a native of Beaverton, Ore., scored seven goals in five Junior Pan Am games. She led Team USA Monday with two goals in an 8-2 victory over Canada and netted a goal against Puerto Rico in a 19-2 win on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Peterson was one of 11 different U.S. players to score for Team USA, finding the back of the net twice for her fourth and fifth goals of the tournament. Peterson scored once in the 17-1 win over Puerto Rico Saturday and was held scoreless in just one game of the tournament--Team USA's 9-2 win over Brazil on Thursday.
Two more goals by Rulon in the third helped Team USA rumble out to a 5-1 lead heading into the final quarter. Another by Rulon and one by Moriah van Norman propelled the U.S. to a 7-1 advantage early in the fourth, but Canada was just getting started.
A few defensive breakdowns allowed Canada to go on a 4-0 run, but the U.S. regrouped and held on for the 7-5 win.
U.S. head coach Amber Drury-Pinto was pleasantly surprised with how well her team performed in the tournament.
"We were really challenged this week," she said. "We weren't challenged physically as much as we were mentally, but I was pleased with how we responded. Considering how little time we had to prepare as a team for this tournament, I think we did great."
As far as Drury-Pinto is concerned, the Pan Ams were just a preparation pit stop.
"Now we're just going to look ahead to Junior Worlds," she said. "We have a pretty good mix of younger and older players and I think we're going to do well."
Lauren Heineck, who dominated at both ends of the pool for the U.S., was named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Kelly Rulon, who scored 15 goals in six games, was the tournament's top scorer, while Canada's Rachael Ridder took home top goalkeeper honors. Eight of the tournament's top 12 scorers were from Team USA.
The USA women pummeled opponents all week long in Boca Raton en route to Sunday's final. The two-goal victory over Canada was, by far, its smallest margin of victory.
Kelly Rulon, the tournament's top scorer with 15 goals, opened the U.S. scoring with 5:08 to play in the first, and Kristina Kunkel added another at the 1:02 mark to make the score 2-0. Peterson gave the U.S. a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter on a player-advantage goal.
Peterson, a native of Beaverton, Ore., scored seven goals in five Junior Pan Am games. She led Team USA Monday with two goals in an 8-2 victory over Canada and netted a goal against Puerto Rico in a 19-2 win on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Peterson was one of 11 different U.S. players to score for Team USA, finding the back of the net twice for her fourth and fifth goals of the tournament. Peterson scored once in the 17-1 win over Puerto Rico Saturday and was held scoreless in just one game of the tournament--Team USA's 9-2 win over Brazil on Thursday.
Two more goals by Rulon in the third helped Team USA rumble out to a 5-1 lead heading into the final quarter. Another by Rulon and one by Moriah van Norman propelled the U.S. to a 7-1 advantage early in the fourth, but Canada was just getting started.
A few defensive breakdowns allowed Canada to go on a 4-0 run, but the U.S. regrouped and held on for the 7-5 win.
U.S. head coach Amber Drury-Pinto was pleasantly surprised with how well her team performed in the tournament.
"We were really challenged this week," she said. "We weren't challenged physically as much as we were mentally, but I was pleased with how we responded. Considering how little time we had to prepare as a team for this tournament, I think we did great."
As far as Drury-Pinto is concerned, the Pan Ams were just a preparation pit stop.
"Now we're just going to look ahead to Junior Worlds," she said. "We have a pretty good mix of younger and older players and I think we're going to do well."
Lauren Heineck, who dominated at both ends of the pool for the U.S., was named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Kelly Rulon, who scored 15 goals in six games, was the tournament's top scorer, while Canada's Rachael Ridder took home top goalkeeper honors. Eight of the tournament's top 12 scorers were from Team USA.
Last year, Peterson played in 35 of the 37 Hoosier matches, scoring 50 goals, which was third overall on the team and ninth best in school history. She also recorded 30 assists and 39 steals in her first collegiate season. Peterson's assists total was the sixth highest output in school history.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11