Team falls to Michigan

The Indiana Invitational ended on a sour note for the water polo team, as the Hoosiers dropped another close battle with arch-rival Michigan 8-6 at Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center Sunday. The two-goal margin is the largest point differential between the two teams in four matches. The first contest between the two resulted in a tie, and the last two went to Michigan in overtime.\nSaturday, IU beat Michigan State 11-3 in the opener, and then fell to Massachusetts 9-6 later that day.\n"We needed to show we can win big games like this," coach Barry King said. "It isn't that we can't, we just need to show ourselves that we can do it."\nIn the Michigan match, IU (14-9-1) jumped out to a quick lead on freshman Kristy Steefkerk's goal in the first minute of play. Michigan (17-9-1) answered on the next possession, and then took the lead a minute later, setting the table for what seemed would be a high scoring contest.\nIU threw a one-two punch of its own to close out the opening period, with scores by senior Kelly McKay and sophomore Ginger Wang giving the Hoosiers a 3-2 lead.\nThe second period would prove to be the fatal stage for the Hoosiers. After allowing three goals in the opening period, Michigan's defense played a large role for the rest of the contest. The Wolverines dominated the second period, scoring twice and not allowing a goal to put IU in a 4-3 hole at halftime from which the Hoosiers wouldn't emerge.\nThe second half began as a defensive standoff as the lone goal of the third period came from Michigan.\nAfter a penalty, Michigan pushed the lead to 6-3 in the fourth. Then senior Sheri Fagley pulled the Hoosiers to within two goals with five minutes to play. But Michigan came right back with two scores of their own. McKay and junior Kate McCollum added goals for the Hoosiers late in the game, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.\nDespite the loss, the Hoosiers fought till the final buzzer.\n"We played till the end," sophomore Kristin Stanford said. "We weren't ready to give up. Losing again just makes us want to beat them even more, and try harder in the future."\nAfter combining for 19 points in their most recent outing, both IU and Michigan said defense was the key to this match.\n"We stayed within our game plan. We played focused, and our main focus was on our defense," Michigan assistant coach Bernice Orwig said. "That was our strength today."\nStanford said IU's defense was also impressive.\n"I think we played well defensively," Stanford said. "Our offense just needs to step it up."\nAlthough this is the last scheduled meeting of the two schools this year, King said there's a good chance the two teams will face off in the postseason.\nSaturday, things started off well for IU. Michigan State proved to be no match for the Hoosiers, as six second-period goals propelled IU to a 11-3 win. McKay, Streefkerk, and freshman Rachel Saal made two goals each.\nLater that afternoon, IU had more of a challenge against No. 18 UMass. The lead went back and forth until three quick second-period goals gave UMass a 5-3 lead at halftime. \nThe two teams traded blows in the third period, with sophomore Jamie Marley scoring late in the period for IU. \nIU came within one goal early in the fourth period at 6-5, but the matched escaped its grasp late as UMass pulled away for a 9-6 win.\nSenior Molly Fonner was named defensive player of the invitational and Michigan senior Melissa Karjala earned the offensive award.