Hoosiers Top Arizona State

3/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo

TEMPE, Ariz. - Battling through the overcast and windy conditions at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, the No. 13 Indiana University women's water polo team defeated No. 19 Arizona State Tuesday, 8-5.

The Hoosiers (16-7, 3-1) struggled with the Sun Devils in the first half, shooting just 2-of-10, while committing nine turnovers. ASU jumped out front early, with goals by Tessa Wyborny and Daya Mau, ending the first quarter with a 2-0 lead.

Senior Ginger Wang put the Hoosiers on the board at the 5:18 mark in the second quarter, from a cross-pool pass from Emily Schmitt. After an ASU goal at 4:43, senior Kristin Stanford netted her first of four goals in the game from an assist by Jamie Marley, with just 10 seconds remaining in the half.

Monday against San Diego State, the Hoosiers trailed the Aztecs 4-3, but were dominated in the second half, before falling 11-4. Tuesday, Indiana was not going to let that happen with the Sun Devils.

"I thought from the second quarter on, we played very well," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "I felt that in the first quarter we looked like a team that has played several games in the past week and has been through a lot of travel. We picked it up though and really played well in the second half."

Trailing 3-2, Indiana outhustled and outscored Arizona State 6-2 in the second half.

Sophomore Krista Peterson tied the game with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter, while two minutes later, Clare Meadows found an open Melissa Pietras, giving the Hoosiers their first lead of the game.

Arizona State would quickly answer with a goal by Adriane Mota, but Marley again found Stanford just 14 seconds later to retain the IU lead.

Gili Kollan opened the fourth quarter at 5:35 tying the game at 5-5. But it was all Indiana from that point on, as Stanford and Schmitt closed the deal for the Hoosiers.

With 2:52 remaining in the game and Indiana coming out of a timeout, Schmitt had her shot blocked by ASU goalie Lizze Houck, but Stanford caught the rebound and put it back in.

Just 37 seconds later, off great defense by Kristy Streefkerk, Schmitt stole the ASU pass, drove down the length of the pool, and found the right corner of the cage. Inside one minute left in the game, Stanford again hustled for a rebound off a blocked shot from Peterson, and put it in for her fourth and final goal of the game.

On the day, Stanford led the Hoosiers offensively, shooting 4-of-5 from the field, while Jessica Goldner was 7-of-15 in goal for Indiana.

The Hoosiers will complete their Spring Break on Thursday, competing at No. 7 Loyola Marymount at 3:00 PT.

WATER POLO SPRING BREAK NOTEBOOK

 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 reached the 75-goal mark on the season, after netting 1-of-3 shots against San Diego State on Monday. Peterson notched a goal against Arizona State as well, now bringing her season total to 76.

 Senior Kristin Stanford notched her fifth steal of Spring Break Sunday morning against Redlands, marking her 150th for her career. Currently, Stanford has nine steals over this year's break and 154 for her career.

 Stanford also reached the 225-career goal mark Tuesday, after netting 4-of-5 shots against Arizona State. Stanford now has 227 for her career.

 Also against Redlands Sunday morning, senior Ginger Wang tallied three steals to reach the 100-steal mark for her career. Wang stole two balls against San Diego State and three against ASU, bringing her total to 105.

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