Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
UC Santa Cruz
Indiana Slips By UC Santa Cruz, 5-4
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Amy Moore scored three goals and Katie Carson made a career-high 21 saves in goal for No. 19 Indiana (2-6) on their way to a 5-4 win over UC Santa Cruz on Saturday at the UC Santa Cruz Slugfest. Kate Dunn and Maggie Hannon also scored goals for Indiana in the win.
The Hoosiers were in control through three quarters, but needed to survive a late rally by UCSC. The game tightened up when UCSC scored twice in the last 1:38 of action to pull within a goal, but Indiana held on to secure the victory.
"We played with a lot of effort for most of the game, but we have to do a better job of executing on counter attacks," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "We were solid defensively, and Katie Carson played very well in goal."
The Hoosiers wasted little time getting started against UCSC, with Maggie Hannon connecting on a goal in center after an assist from Kelly Palmberg 18 seconds into the game. Indiana then took advantage of a UCSC exclusion, when Moore connected on a cross pass from Nicole Redder to put the Hoosiers on top 2-0.
The Indiana defense controlled the first period, allowing only two shots. However, one of those shots found the net from long range to put the Banana Slugs on the board midway through the first quarter. The Hoosiers followed that up with a clutch goal from Dunn with four seconds left in the quarter off a long lead pass from Lauren Wyckoff to give the Hoosiers a 3-1 lead.
The second quarter was a defensive battle, with no goals scored by either team. There were two six on five chances for each team, but neither could convert.
Moore led the Hoosiers in the third quarter with two goals. The first score came one minute into the half when Palmberg found Moore on the left side during a power play. After a UCSC score to pull within two, Hannon made an accurate lead pass to Moore for her final goal of the game to give Indiana a 5-2 lead.
Carson's 21 saves were crucial to the Hoosiers hanging on for the win. She made a wide variety of important saves throughout the second half. She eclipsed her previous career-high of 15 from last season against Princeton.
Indiana now stands at 2-6 on the year and will play at 1:15 p.m. PT/ 4:15 p.m. ET against Cal State Monterey Bay.
