Indiana University
Sonoma State
Indiana Sprints Past Sonoma State, 9-4
3/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 15, 2010
Rohnert Park, Calif. -
The No. 16 Indiana Hoosiers (12-5) extended their winning streak to four with a 9-4 victory at Sonoma State on Monday. The Hoosiers controlled the game from the opening sprint, building a three-goal lead in the opening four minutes which they would not relinquish.
"Our defense really came out and set the tone early," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "We need to keep improving, but I like the way we're competing right now."
The Hoosiers were led in scoring by Kara Butler, Jakie Köhli, and Nicole Redder, each with a pair of goals. Kelsey Campbell, Kate Dunn, and Lauren Wyckoff all notched one goal in the winning effort.
Katie Carson started the game in the cage and finished with eight saves in one half of action. Cassie Wyckoff came on in the second half and also collected eight saves, to go along with one assist and one steal.
Butler jumpstarted the Hoosiers at the 5:45 mark in the opening period with a long-range goal off a Jakie Köhli assist. Redder would follow up with a power play goal 45 seconds later after a quick pass from Kelly Palmberg. Köhli then drove the right side and found the net to give Indiana a 3-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Sonoma State got on the board early in the second period with a long goal from straightaway. Butler would answer with her second goal in the post after an assist from Lauren Wyckoff. Wyckoff then scored after drawing one of her team-high two earned exclusions and executing a give and go with Campbell to put the Hoosiers on top 5-1 at the half.
Indiana would continue to apply the pressure during the third quarter on both ends. Palmberg racked up a pair of shot blocks early in the period to deter the Sonoma State attack. The Hoosiers reeled off three consecutive goals to open the quarter to give Indiana a comfortable 8-1 margin. The scores came from Dunn, Köhli, and Redder. Sonoma State would score one third quarter goal to make it an 8-2 Indiana lead.
The final stanza featured a long range score from Campbell after an assist by Palmberg, which was the only Hoosier goal in the fourth. Palmberg shared team-high assist honors with Jakie Köhli and Lauren Wyckoff, each dishing out a pair of helpers. Sonoma State would tack on a pair of goals late in the quarter to pull within five to end the contest.
The Hoosiers are back in action at No. 17 Pacific on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. PT.
