Hoosiers split 2 in Fluid Four Invitational

The No. 11 Hoosiers wrapped up the final weekend of the regular season as they played host to the Fluid Four Invitational. IU split a pair of matches against two top-20 teams Saturday and will go into the post-season with a 16-7 record. In the opening match of the Invite, IU dominated No. 19 California State Northridge in an impressive 10-4 victory before falling to a solid No. 7 Loyola Marymount squad 13-7.\nIU kicked off the Invite against the Matadors of Cal State Northridge Saturday afternoon in front of an excited home crowd at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. Led by junior Kandace Waldthaler's four-goal performance, the Hoosiers were in control throughout most of the afternoon. Despite allowing the game's first goal to the Matadors, IU netted nine consecutive goals en route to a 10-4 victory.\n"I was pretty pleased with the way Kandace played at two meters and the way she controlled the game out of there," IU coach Barry King said. "I was expecting a little bit of a slow start, which we had, even though we had quite a few good opportunities. We just were not finishing well. We kept going, let Kandace lead the way and grinded one out."\nJunior Krista Peterson had a helping hand, as well, as she scored twice while assisting on four goals. Defensively, junior Jessica Goldner led the Hoosier defense, as she stopped nine shots while allowing only four. Senior Kristy Streefkerk led IU with two steals. \nIn the feature match of the day, IU battled a strong LMU team that was coming off an exciting victory over No. 8 Michigan, 8-6, earlier in the afternoon. The Hoosiers were looking for their second victory of the day and a clean sweep for the Invite. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the LMU Lions had other plans, as they began the match with eight straight goals in the first 10 minutes. The eight-goal cushion would be the difference in the match, as the Hoosiers would never come closer than within four goals. \nSaturday also marked the final home matches for a pair of seniors, Melissa Pietras and Streefkerk. Pietras finished the day with one goal and an assist, while Streefkerk registered two swipes. Pietras had mixed feelings after the LMU loss, as she was disappointed with the way the squad came out but she was thrilled to be playing in front of supportive home crowd in her final weekend at home. \n"It was awesome to play for the home crowd one last time," said Pietras. "Even though we didn't play well against in the second match, I was proud with our effort in the second half and think we are going to use this match to fire us up going into divisionals."\nThe Hoosiers will host the U.S. National Team Thursday in exhibition action as they look to tune-up for the postseason and defend their conference championship, beginning with the CWPA Western Divisionals April 17 in Ann Arbor, Mich., against Grove City. \n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.