Indiana Wins Three on Sunday

3/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo

SUNDAY IN SHORT:
Indiana moves to 15-6 on the year with wins Sunday over Redlands (5-4, OT), LaVerne (13-0), and Cal State-San Bernardino (9-5). The Hoosiers will next play at San Diego State on Monday against the No. 6 Aztecs at 3:00 PT.

Indiana Head Coach Barry King:

"The most positive thing about today was that we showed growth in our team throughout the day. We found a way to win against Redlands and controlled the games well in the afternoon. We saw improvement in the day and that was important."

At Redlands (W, 5-4, OT)

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - One would think that Spring Break in California would be a warm and sunny vacation. One would tell the girls on the Indiana women's water polo team that they are very lucky to have such a trip.

The fact is though, the girls are just lucky to have tallied a win so far in the past two games. After dropping a 9-4 battle at No. 10 UC-San Diego Friday night, the Hoosiers were forced to overtime by Redlands, before winning 5-4.

For Indiana, the storyline of the game was "blown opportunities" according to Hoosier head coach Barry King.

The Hoosiers' 5-of-33 shooting was just about as gloomy as the dark, rain-filled skies of Riverside, Calif. In fact, the lone bright spot of the day, was the one time the sun came out the whole game - ironically after senior Jamie Marley netted the game winner for IU at the 1:27 mark of the first of two three-minute overtime periods.

Although IU faced offensive struggles early, the Hoosiers still managed to jump out to a 3-0 lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the game. Indiana opened the game with a goal from senior Ginger Wang at the 2:39 mark in the first quarter. Krista Peterson scored one minute later to give IU a 2-0 lead after one period.

Freshman Emily Schmitt opened the scoring in the second period by netting the Hoosiers' third goal at the 3:27 mark. Indiana would not see much more offense from that point on as Redlands answered with three straight goals heading in to the fourth period.

IU called its first timeout of the game with 49 seconds remaining in the third. Coming out of the break, a shot by Peterson went strong off the cage, into the hands of Schmitt, whose shot hit the post as well. Freshman Courtney Livak was there for the rebound, but her lob shot went sailing over the crossbar.

The Bulldogs took their first and only lead in the game with 5:52 left in the fourth. IU would trail for over three-and-a-half minutes in the final period of regulation.

With 2:16 remaining however, junior Melissa Pietras sent a shot into the cage, which floated just enough for the ball to cross the goalline. Pietras would then have another attempt to score big for the Hoosiers as she stole the ball from Redlands in their two-meters, drove the ball down the length of the pool, and appeared to have a clear shot. The junior from Hudsonville, Mich., passed the ball to Kristin Stanford though, who could not handle the pass for the tip-in at the buzzer.

During the first period of overtime, Pietras found an open Marley who closed the book on the Bulldogs, with the eventual game winner.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Goldner saved 5-of-14 shots on the day, and managed to stay active in the cage with three steals as well.

at Cal-State San Bernardino Coyote Classic
vs. LaVerne (W, 13-0)
at CSUSB (W, 9-5)

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The Hoosiers were a late addition to the Cal State-San Bernardino Classic and received quite the battle from the host Coyotes before topping them, 9-5.

Indiana sophomore Krista Peterson put the Hoosiers on the board first with a cross-cage netter from Melissa Pietras at 3:49 in the first period. Peterson would contribute on the Hoosiers' next goal, assisting Kristin Stanford with one minute remaining.

Jamie Marley and Stanford helped the Hoosiers to a 4-0 lead midway through the second quarter, while sophomore Jessica Goldner was completely frustrating the Coyote offense in goal.

Goldner, a native of Los Altos Hills, Calif., would eventually stop a career-high 17 shots on 27 attempts, while only allowing five goals. Over her short career at Indiana, Goldner has quickly been rewriting both her personal and the school's record book. Her 17 saves Sunday were just two shy of the school record, and the second best performance since Kate Toole's 17 blocks against Slippery Rock in 1998.

"Jessie had a super game for us," said King. "Not only was she active in the cage, but out of the cage as well. She had three great steals as well today. She really controlled our team today and fought hard for us."

Earlier in the day, IU shutout Division III power LaVerne, 13-0. Senior Sarah Butler netted a career high five goals on six shots, while freshman Clare Meadows contributed three assists. Marley and Courtney Thom each scored two goals against the Leopards as well.

"Sarah had a lot of great opportunities today and she took advantage of them," King said. "She was very active in the pool today and it was nice to see her get those five goals."

WATER POLO SPRING BREAK NOTEBOOK (Through March 16)

 While it took five years of varsity competition for the Hoosiers to shutout their opponents (Cal-Baptist, 7-0 last year), Indiana has now recorded two shutouts in two weeks this season. IU blanked Washington & Jefferson 14-0 last week at the CWPA Weekend, and stopped LaVerne on Sunday, 13-0.

 Not only did sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Goldner set her career high of 17 saves against Cal State-San Bernardino, but she also eclipsed the 300 save mark for her career. Her 17 saves Sunday were just two shy of the school record, and the second best performance since Kate Toole's 17 blocks against Slippery Rock in 1998. The Los Altos Hills, Calif., native also reach 150 saves on the season. Currently, Goldner has 163 on the season and 308 for her career.

 Sophomore Krista Peterson nearly reached the 75-goal mark on the season, after netting 2-of-6 shots against CSUSB on Sunday. Peterson has recorded 3 goals over the break so far to bring her season total to 74.

 Senior Kristin Stanford notched her fifth steal of Spring Break Sunday morning against Redlands, marking her 150th for her career. Currently, Stanford has seven steals over this year's break and 152 for her career.

 Stanford also has netted six goals over Spring Break, which leaves her two goals shy of 225 for her career.

 Also against Redlands Sunday morning, senior Ginger Wang tallied three steals to reach the 100-steal mark for her career. Wang did not record a steal against LaVerne or CSUSB, which leaves her at the 100 mark.

 Senior Sarah Butler scored five goals against LaVerne on Sunday, marking the first time a Hoosier has scored five goals since Ginger Wang accomplished the feat against Washington & Jefferson last year.

 Having notched three wins on Sunday, Indiana head coach Barry King is now just four shy of his 125th win of his career. With the Hoosiers having only three games left on Spring Break, King will most likely reach the mark at next weekend's CWPA Conference Weekend.