Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Set To Open Season at Michigan Kick-off
1/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Jan. 22, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana women's water polo team will begin the 2009 season at the Michigan Kick-Off on Jan. 24-25. The Hoosiers will get things started on Saturday with a matchup against No. 3 UCLA at 1:15 p.m. Later that afternoon, Indiana will take on No. 5 California at 6:15 p.m. Indiana will play two games on Sunday, beginning with No. 14 Cal State Northridge at 9:15 a.m. They will wrap up the tournament with Colorado State at 12:20 p.m. Indiana returns 11 letterwinners, including 5 starters from a team that finished 20-16 overall in 2008, with a 7-1 mark in the CWPA Western Division.
Senior Maggie Hannon is the leading returning scorer for the Hoosiers, finishing with 62 goals last season. Hannon, along with junior goalie Katie Carson, were CWPA All-Division Second team selections in 2008.
A Closer Look at the Opponents
No.3 UCLA
The Bruins are the four-time defending national champions, finishing with an impressive 33-0 overall record in 2008. They return 15 letterwinners from last season's squad. Senior attackers Katie Rulon and Tanya Gandy are key scorers that lead the UCLA attack. Rulon led the Bruins in scoring last season with 62 goals, while Gandy finished with 47. The goalie will be senior Brittany Fullen, who finished 2008 with 237 saves.
Indiana has had a difficult time with UCLA in the past, going 0-3 all-time. Last season, the Hoosiers fell 15-6 to the Bruins at the Michigan Kick-off.
No.5 California
The Bears finished 2008 with an 18-11 record. California lost three seniors from last season's team, including second leading scorer Molly Hayes. Attacker Meghan Corso is expected to shoulder some of the load for the Bears after finishing last season with 35 goals. Lauren Burke is the most experienced returning goalie for California, making 18 saves in 4 games for the Bears.
The Hoosiers are 1-7 all-time against California. Their last meeting was a 13-5 California win in 2007 at the Stanford Invitational.
No.14 Cal State Northridge
Cal State Northridge is coming off of a 14-18 record in 2008. The Matadors lost their top scorer, Allison Brookes, from last season. However, they return their second and third leading scorers, senior Jessica Coy and junior Chelsea Curran. Coy finished with 39 goals, while Curran totaled 36 scores for Cal State Northridge. Junior goalkeeper Jillian Stapf returns from last season, in which she tallied 287 saves.
Indiana has a 2-1 record all-time against Cal State Northridge. In 2008, the Hoosiers fell in a tough 11-10 overtime loss to the Matadors.
Colorado State
Colorado State ended the 2008 season with a 10-26 overall record. The Rams return their second leading scorer, sophomore Ali Pavlik. Pavlik finished last season with 48 goals. At goalie, junior Krystyna McCright brings the most experience after recording 219 saves in 30 games played last season.
Indiana has defeated Colorado State in all six meetings between the two schools. In 2008, the Hoosiers beat the Rams 14-8 in the Michigan Kick-off.
Players Mentioned
