Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Long Beach State
No. 12 Hoosiers Win Thriller Over No. 19 LBSU
3/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 10, 2012
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Sophomore Shae Fournier connected from long-range with three-tenths of a second remaining to lift the No. 12 Indiana Hoosiers women's water polo team (14-4, 1-1 CWPA West) to a thrilling 7-6 victory over No. 19 Long Beach State at the Roadrunner Invitational.
Fournier's game-winner came just eight seconds after the 49ers converted a lob for the game's fourth tie. On the final Hoosier possession, Creighton dished to an open Fournier on the perimeter and the Winnipeg, Manitoba native drilled it into the back of the cage to give Indiana its seventh win of the season over a ranked opponent.
Freshman Shelby Taylor led the scoring attack for the Hoosiers with her fifth multi-goal contest of the season, scoring a pair in the win. Along with Fournier, freshman Summer Creighton, sophomore Meghan Lappan, freshman Colleen McNaught, and freshman Alynn Reade each notched a goal.
Senior goalkeeper Cassie Wyckoff had a stellar performance in the cage, racking up 12 saves, two assists, and a steal. Wyckoff has produced 201 saves on the season including 14 double-digit performances.
Indiana grabbed the early lead when Lappan scored on a power play after an assist by McNaught at the 5:10 mark of the opening period.
After a 49er goal with under three minutes to play in the quarter, the Hoosiers answered with a Reade goal after a nifty dish from freshman Alexis Jones to take a 2-1 lead.
The Hoosiers could not find a rhythm in the second period and gave up four straight 49er goals and trailed 5-2 at the break.
Taylor helped the Hoosiers seize momentum in the third with two straight goals, each with the help of some timely outlet passes from Wyckoff to pull Indiana within one. Creighton notched the equalizer late in the third quarter on a power play earned by Reade, scoring from inside with the assist by McNaught.
Contreras earned a crucial six-on-five opportunity for the Hoosiers with under four minutes to play, which Fournier used to find McNaught for the go-ahead score.
The 49ers responded late with a lob just past Wyckoff's reach to knot things up with nine seconds remaining, but Fournier's clutch shot with less than a second left lifted the Hoosiers to victory.
Indiana is back in action at 2:45 p.m. against Azusa Pacific at the Roadrunner Invitational.
| Box Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| No. 12 Indiana | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| No. 19 Long Beach State | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Indiana Goals: Taylor 2, Creighton 1, Fournier 1, Lappan 1, McNaught 1, Reade 1
Indiana Saves: Wyckoff 12
