Water polo goes 2-0 to win Indiana Invitational

Heading into its only home tournament of the year, the IU water polo team knew the home atmosphere and the fans would help them go undefeated on the weekend. The crowd certainly was a factor, but it was defense that carried the No. 14 Hoosiers as they beat No. 12 Hartwick twice to win the Indiana Invitational. \n"I am very pleased with the defensive effort we showed this weekend, we played very well on the defensive side of the ball," coach Barry King said. "Our defense is really gaining a lot of confidence." \nAfter posting a 9-6 win Saturday against Hartwick, the Hoosiers came out strong Sunday as they took an early 3-1 lead in the first period. But Hartwick stormed back and tied the score at four going into halftime. Sophomore Krista Peterson scored two goals in the second half but Hartwick answered back with two goals of their own to tie the score late in the fourth period. \nWith 30 seconds remaining, freshman Emily Schmitt's shot was blocked by a Hartwick defender but freshman Courtney Livak rebounded it and scored with 22 seconds left to seal the victory for the Hoosiers. \n"It was a good shot by Emily and a great block by the goalie, I was just in the right place at the right time," Livak said. \nAlthough Livak was hesitant to take all the credit, Schmitt said her teammate deserves all the praise. \n"It was a great play and a great effort by Courtney," she said. \nThe game winning goal wouldn't have mattered if it was not for the brilliant effort of sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Goldner. On a day Goldner had a career-high 15 saves to lead the defense, King said the sophomore is beginning to play well consistently. \n"Jessica had a super weekend and played especially well (Sunday)," King said. "It is really refreshing to see her come back from the last tournament and play like that."\nSunday was Senior Day and Livak said the family and friends that attended provided a great atmosphere to play in which helped the players. \n"It was really fun playing at home and to hear everyone cheer," Livak said. "The crowd was great and everyone was really getting into it." \nBefore the game, the parents of all the senior players were announced, but it was the freshmen who really stepped up for IU on Sunday. \nSchmitt tied Peterson for the team lead with two goals, and Livak scored the game winning goal for the Hoosiers. \n"All the freshmen are developing very well, it is very encouraging," King said. "Courtney Livak is on her way into developing into a super player."\nSaturday, the Hoosier defense held Hartwick to six goals in a 9-6 victory. \n"I have always said if we can hold teams to five or six goals then we can find a way to win," King said. \nThe Hoosiers took a commanding 6-3 lead and then never looked back. Senior Ginger Wang and Goldner led the way defensively. Wang had a team high five steals while Goldner had nine saves.\nOn the offensive side of the ball, senior All-American Kristin Stanford led the way with three goals while Wang and Peterson each had two. \nOverall, King said that he thought the weekend was a success and he thinks his team is ready for the next tournament. \n"We are really becoming a defensive-minded team that can cause other teams a lot of problems," King said. "The defense is gaining a lot of confidence and this leads to giving the offense more opportunities as well." \nThe Hoosiers travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., next weekend to compete in the CPWA Weekend Tournament.