IU falls to defending World Champs

In its fifth match of the 2004 Collegiate Tour, Team USA continued its dominance against the top college programs in the country, as it defeated the No. 10 Hoosier women's water polo squad 15-5. Despite the loss, IU coach Barry King's squad showed signs it is deserving of its top ranking in the nation. \nThe IU team jumped out to a quick 2-1 lead in the first four minutes of the match on goals scored by juniors Krista Peterson and Kandace Waldthaler. Nevertheless, the national team responded with four consecutive goals, finishing the first period ahead 5-2.\nAfter what looked to be a promising start for the Hoosiers, things turned into an uphill battle in the second period, as Team USA added five more goals and extended its lead to 10-2 going into intermission. \nThe Hoosiers came out of the break with a boost of energy, as they found the back of the net twice to open the second half. Sophomore Janis Pardy was the first to strike followed by Peterson, who registered her second goal of the game, reducing the deficit to 10-4. Team USA proved to be too much for the Hoosiers, as the team netted a pair of consecutive goals to end the rally and go on to win the match 15-5.\nKing was impressed with his squad's performance against the world's top team. \n"I saw some really positive things out there that we can use for the next stage of the season," King said. "I thought that there are quite a bit of things that we can take out of tonight's match into the postseason."\nThe Hoosiers are excited to take what they learned in the pool and apply it next weekend at the CWPA Western Divisionals. \n"It was so much fun, and we learned a lot tonight," senior Melissa Pietras said. "I think we're definitely ready for the postseason, and I think we will only improve after tonight's match."\nAll-American Peterson continued her outstanding play, as she finished the match with three of the five Hoosier goals, while Waldthaler and Pardy had one tally apiece. Junior keeper Jessica Goldner looked solid in the goal, although the score might suggest otherwise. Freshman Kristin Zernicke looked confident on the defensive end and had a number of good looks to score on offensive side.\n"We had nothing to lose out their, and I think we did great," Peterson said. "This really proved that we're ready for the next level of play."\nThe U.S. National team will head out east as its will take on Bucknell tomorrow evening in Lewisburg, Penn. U.S coach Guy Baker has been excited with the entire Collegiate tour and believes the experience only improves his team as it gears up for the Olympics in Athens, Greece.\n"We're excited with the way the college tour has been going," said Baker. "It gives us a great opportunity to promote the sport as well as giving us some games as we prepare for the summer."\nThe Hoosiers will now look ahead to next week's CWPA Western Divisional Tournament where they will face Grove City in the opening match April 17th in Ann Arbor, Mich. The winner will then face either Gannon or Mercyhurst in the second round Saturday evening. The Divisional Championship will be played Sunday afternoon. \n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.