Canadians' Zernicke and Pardy excited to play for IU

After last weekend's big wins over ranked Arizona State and University of California at San Diego, teammates say the young Hoosier squad has what it takes to head back to the Final Four. IU finished 2-1 last weekend, with its only loss coming against No. 10 Michigan. \nThe Hoosiers began last weekend with three consecutive matches against ranked opponents. IU coach Barry King said he was impressed with the way his team performed against the top-notch competition, especially on the defensive end.\n"Anytime you hold two of the top 20 teams in the country to a total of nine goals in two games, you are doing the right things on the defensive end," King said after IU split their first two matches last Saturday. "We just have to take these games as a learning experience. It is early in the season, and as we progress, we will begin to find ways to score. But on the defensive end, we played real well tonight."\nA key player in IU's defensive scheme was freshman Kristin Zernicke. She recorded 12 steals on the weekend along with her first pair of goals as a Hoosier. Both of Zernicke's goals came against a victory over No. 14 UCSD during a second half comeback.\n"It was exciting to get out there and play last weekend," Zernicke said. "I really didn't know what to expect, and I had butterflies before the game, but once we began playing, I became more comfortable." \nSophomore Janis Pardy netted five goals at the Invitational, along with four steals and a pair of assists. Pardy kicked the season off against ASU with a key defensive stop that led to a game-tying goal a few seconds later to send IU into overtime. In the extra period, Pardy scored the winning goal, her second of that match.\n"It was definitely exciting to be in action again," Pardy said last week. "I had a ton of fun out there, and it was great representing IU. More importantly, though, we had two big victories to start the season." \nBoth Pardy and Zernicke are familiar with each other as they were teammates prior to coming to IU. The two played for the Canadian Junior National Women's team together from 2001 to 2003. In 2002, Pardy and Zernicke helped their country earn the silver medal at the Junior Pan Am Games. The following year, the girls played together at the World Championships in their home town of Calgary, where they won gold.\n"It was amazing playing for the World Championship in front of all my family and friends," said Zernicke. "Winning the gold medal for my country in my own hometown was a great experience and one of the most memorable times in my life."\nPardy and Zernicke also join fellow Canadian senior Kristy Streefkerk here at IU. The trio adds some diversity to a squad that includes a large contingency of players from California, with eight, as well as players from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon and Texas. However, the Canadians add a great amount of experience to an already talented pool of freshman players.\n"Kristy was definitely a drawing point in coming to IU," Zernicke said. "I feel more comfortable now because I have a chance to play with a couple girls that I am very familiar with."\nThe talented freshmen are gearing up this week for another invitational coming up this weekend in San Diego. IU will face its fourth consecutive top 20 ranked team on Saturday, as it prepares for No. 15 UC-Irvine. The Hoosiers will be in a four-team pool, with the winner of the pool advancing on to the championship. Regardless where the team finishes, IU will play two matches on both Saturday and Sunday.\n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.