Indiana University Athletics
IU to Open at Michigan
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
2003 MICHIGAN INVITATIONAL
vs.#16 Hartwick
Jan. 25 • 11:15am
Last: Never Played
vs. #11 Michigan
Jan. 25 • 4:00pm
Last: 4/27/02, L 8-7 (5OT)
vs. Michigan State (Club)
Jan. 25 • 6:15pm
Last: 1/27/02, W 13-4
vs. #7 San Jose State
Jan. 26 • 9:15am
Last: 3/13/01, L 9-2
Getting Things Started
The Indiana University women's water polo team will begin its sixth year of varsity status this weekend, Jan. 25-26, at the Michigan Invitational, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Hoosiers are ranked No. 14 in the national poll, and No. 2 in the CWPA Conference.
Indiana will square off against No. 16 Hartwick at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday. The Hoosiers will follow with a much-anticipated rival matchup against the host No. 11 Michigan Wolverines. IU will then play the Michigan State club team, which will not count towards the Hoosiers' 2003 record.
Highlighting this year's invitational will be the matchup between Michigan and IU. 2002 Indiana assistant coach, Matt Anderson, is in his first year as Wolverine head coach.
Indiana will conclude the tournament at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, facing No.7 San Jose State.
"We're excited to get going and see where we are. All three of these teams were ranked ahead of us at the end of last year. How we do up here, will be a real marker of who we are and what we need to do.
"The San Jose State game will be a really nice match for us. Playing Hartwick and getting some experience with them is important, because they will contend for the Eastern Championship in April.
"Michigan has its storylines, with the rivalry and Matt (Anderson) and all. It will be a battle to the end."
The Rivalry Continues
Indiana vs. Michigan has become one of the most intense rivalries in the nation. Although Michigan has won the last nine meetings, four of those games went into overtime, including last year's 5 OT, 8-7 thriller at the CWPA Eastern Championships.
Nice To Meet You
Indiana will face No. 16 Hartwick for the first time in school history, Saturday, Jan. 25.
Looking For A First
The Hoosiers' final game on Sunday will be against No. 7 San Jose State, a team that Indiana has not beaten in three attempts. IU last played the Spartans at SJSU on 3/13/01, losing 9-2.
A True All-American
Without a doubt, the Hoosiers' most powerful threat in 2003 will be senior Kristin Stanford.
Stanford earned third-team AWPCA All-America honors in 2002, and was named to the CWPA All-Eastern Championship Tournament first-team as well.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is coming off a record-setting year. In 2002, she scored 66 goals on 173 shots and became Indiana's all-time scoring leader. She also broke her own school record of 57 goals in a season with 66 in 2002.
Scoring Sophomores
Sophomores Krista Peterson and Sharna Nelson will also be scoring threats for the Hoosiers in 2003.
Peterson, who won a gold medal while competing for Team USA in the Junior Pan American Games last summer, adapted quickly to the Hoosier offense in her freshman season, scoring 50 goals on 141 shots.
Her presence in the water makes her a threat for scoring multiple goals and will most likely call for defensive double-teams.
Sharna Nelson, a relative-unknown from Australia, was a late addition to last year's Hoosier roster and had an incredible freshman season, netting 53 goals.
All By Herself
Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Goldner will find herself awfully lonely this year, as she is the lone keeper on the Hoosier roster.
Goldner split most of last season with veteran Kirsten Mayberry. Goldner recorded a 3.31 goals-against average in 2002, allowing 96 goals on 340 shots.
Fresh Faces
Coming off the most impressive recruiting class in Hoosier water polo history, Indiana coach Barry King has brought in quite the freshman class for 2003 -- one that will compete right away for starting roles.
Courtney Livak, Rachel Lowe, Bridget McKeon, Clare Meadows, Emily Schmitt, and Courtney Thom make up the list of Hoosier newcomers for this year's campaign.
Media Access
Daily wrap-ups on each game will be available at IUHOOSIERS.com. Players will be available for interviews 10 minutes after each game or via telephone. All requests to speak with players must be submitted to Jeff Smith at jepsmith@indiana.edu or (812)-855-6209.
