NCAA BOUND! Hoosiers Lock Down Michigan, 5-3

Sunday, May 1

Bloomington, Ind.

3:00 PM

Indiana University

Michigan

5/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo

May 1, 2011

Photo Gallery 
NCAA Championship Information

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana Hoosiers women's water polo team (25-11) defeated top-seeded/No. 6 nationally ranked Michigan in the CWPA Eastern Championship on Sunday, 5-3, behind a stellar defensive performance spearheaded by goalkeeper Cassie Wyckoff. The Hoosiers are headed to the NCAA Championship for the second time in program history and earn their second CWPA Conference Championship.

"From the time the final buzzer sounded last season, this team was on a mission to win this championship," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "It's an unbelievable feeling, there's no doubt about that."

The Hoosiers held rival Michigan to its lowest scoring output of the 2011 season and snapped the Wolverines' 22-game winning streak in the process. Indiana shut out Michigan in the opening quarter, as well as the second half.

Shae Fournier led the Hoosiers in scoring with three goals. Kara Butler and Lauren Wyckoff added one goal apiece.

Cassie Wyckoff dominated the majority of the contest, recording 14 saves. The Los Altos, Calif. native won Tournament Most Valuable Player honors for her outstanding play and also set a single-season school record for saves with 322 during her junior campaign.

Jakie Köhli and Lauren Wyckoff joined (Cassie) Wyckoff on the All-Tournament First Team.

"They have done the work and they earned the opportunity," said King. "It's just a terrific finish and Cassie Wyckoff played like she was the best in the world."

The Hoosiers scored the game's first three goals, before Michigan responded with three of their own during the second period.

Fournier answered with a clutch score with two seconds to play in the half to give IU a 4-3 lead.

The stifling Hoosier defense went to work for the remainder of the game, while (Lauren) Wyckoff rifled in a third quarter backhander to go up by two.

Indiana allowed no goals in the final period, while controlling the ball and coming up with huge stop after huge stop. Köhli was instrumental in the final stretch on the defensive end. The junior collected four steals and three field blocks in the contest.

The Hoosiers will now await their seeding on the NCAA Women's Water Polo Selection Show, which will be shown live on NCAA.com on Monday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. The NCAA Championship will be held at Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on May 13-15.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
First Team
Cassie Wyckoff (Goalie), Indiana
Lauren Wyckoff, Indiana
Jakie Köhli, Indiana
Charlotte Mensink, Hartwick
Allison Campbell, Maryland
Devan Kennifer, Harvard
Kiki Golden, Michigan

Second Team
Jessica Dorman (Goalie), Hartwick
Lauren Colton, Michigan
Alison Mantel, Michigan
Kandis Canonica, Bucknell
Shannon Leonard, Hartwick
Kate Rigler, Princeton
Kate Woods, Brown

MVP: Cassie Wyckoff, Indiana
Rookie of the Tournament: Charlotte Mensink, Hartwick
Doc Hunkler Coach of the Tournament: Carl Salyer, Maryland