Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
California
Strong Second Half Not Enough Against No. 3 Cal
3/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 20, 2010
STOCKTON, Calif. -
The No. 16 Indiana Hoosiers (13-7) netted five second half goals to pull within two of No. 3 California in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as the Golden Bears hung on for an 8-5 win on Saturday at the Pacific Invitational.
"Our effort out there was terrific," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "We got down early, but really competed well for the majority of the game against a talented team."
Lauren Wyckoff led the second half assault for the Hoosiers, scoring three goals for the third time in the last six games. Katie Black and Nicole Redder each added one score in the loss.
California got off to a quick start from the opening sprint, scoring two goals in the first two minutes of the contest. The Golden Bears added a third goal late in the period to take a 3-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
California continued to build momentum with pair of five meter penalty conversions, followed by a sixth goal with 52 seconds to play in the half to give the Golden Bears a 6-0 halftime advantage.
Indiana came out of the break playing stifling defense behind strong play in the cage from Katie Carson. She finished the game with eight saves on 28 Golden Bear shot attempts. Jakie Köhli was also active on both ends, racking up five steals to go along with her team-high two assists.
Redder got the Hoosiers on the board two minutes into the third period with a power play goal off an assist by Kara Butler. Redder then received a post-entry pass and kicked it out to Wyckoff who scored with a long range lob that sailed past the California goalkeeper. Indiana continued to rally, with Black finding the net on a power play after a cross from Kelly Palmberg to pull within three going into the fourth quarter.
The Golden Bears halted the Hoosier run with a power play goal of their own at the 6:19 mark in the fourth period to give California a four-goal lead.
Indiana would not go down without a fight as Wyckoff notched her second and third goals in a span of 97 seconds to pull the Hoosiers within two with 1:51 remaining. The first goal came on Indiana's third successful power play conversion of the game as Wyckoff reeled in a pass from Köhli and fired it past the outstretched hands of the California goalkeeper. The pair then connected again with Wyckoff launching a shot into the net from long-range to cut the California lead to 7-5.
California blocked an Indiana shot with under a minute to play to seal the game for the Golden Bears. California added their eighth goal with 8 seconds remaining.
Indiana will be back in action next weekend as they host the Fluid Four at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. The Hoosiers open the event with a divisional game against Gannon at 9:00 a.m. ET.
