Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
CWPA Eastern Championships
Hoosiers Top Michigan To Finish Third At CWPA Eastern Championships
4/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
April 29, 2007
PRINCETON, N.J. - Junior Brooke Zimmerman recorded her second hat trick of the championships as the No. 5 seeded Indiana water polo team defeated No. 2 seed Michigan, 5-3, on Sunday, April 29, to finish in third place at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Eastern Championships. Zimmerman was also named the Player of the Game for her efforts.
"It's always great to win in the final game of the year, especially over a rival such as Michigan," Indiana head coach Barry King said. "It was an absolute war, and we happened to get the breaks. Our players handled some adversity in the middle of the match very well."
Zimmerman got the scoring started for the Hoosiers, taking a pass from senior Emily Schmitt on the advantage and finding the back of the cage with 6:06 left in the first frame. The IU lead increased to two on a counter attack goal by senior Kristin Zernicke with 5:49 remaining in the second quarter and Zimmerman picked up her second tally of the game just over three minutes later on a direct shot to give Indiana the 3-0 lead.
Michigan's first score of the game came on the advantage with 1:28 left in the second, and cut the Hoosiers lead to two, 3-1, heading into the half. The lone goal of the third frame came from senior Melissa Soria of a pass from Schmitt on the counter attack, giving IU back a three goal advantage entering the final frame.
Just under 1:30 into the fourth quarter, Julie Hyrne scored for the Wolverines, and she found the back of the cage again with 4:42 left to play on a rebound off a shot by Shana Welch. Down by just one goal, the Hoosiers held Michigan scoreless before Zimmerman drew an exclusion on Welch with 2:54 left to play. Welch also received a red card on the play, giving Zimmerman a five meter penalty shot. The Calgary, Alberta, Canada native was successful from five meters, put the Hoosier lead back up to two, 5-3. IU held onto that advantage for the remainder of the contest.
Zimmerman led IU with three goals, and she was joined by Zernicke and Soria with one apiece. Schmitt had two assists while freshman Katie Carson added one. In goal, Carson got the start and spent two frames in the cage, stopping seven shots. Junior Jackie Pyrz was in the cage for the final two quarters, recording five saves. Indiana wraps up the season with a record of 19-14 overall.
Players Mentioned
