IU plays host to Team USA as world champs continue collegiate tour

The regular season may be done, but the highlight match of the season is awaiting the No. 11 Hoosiers. IU is set to face off against reigning world champs, Team USA, in an exhibition match-up tonight at 7 p.m., tonight at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. \nThe U.S. National Team is making a stop in Bloomington as it continues to visit college campuses across the nation in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.\nThe Hoosiers finished the regular season this past weekend by splitting a pair of matches in the Fluid Four Invitational and head into the postseason with a 16-7 record. IU coach Barry King's squad will look to use Thursday's match against Team USA as preparation for the postseason.\n"This is a good situation for us because it gives a great opportunity to get some action in previous to the start of the championship season," King said. "We're approaching this as a great opportunity to be in the pool with some terrific players and hopefully we can learn some stuff from them."\nThe Women's National Team began its Collegiate Tour in mid-February in California when it took on New York's Hartwick College and toppled the Hawks 14-4. \nSince then, Team USA has faced against a trio of top 10 teams in No. 2 Stanford, No. 5 San Diego State and No. 8 Michigan. The U.S. team, coached by Guy Baker, is undefeated against its collegiate opponents (4-0) and will look to continue its winning ways in Bloomington.\nBaker has taken the U.S. team from No. 8 in the world in 1998 to the top of the rankings this year after upending defending world-champion Italy at the FINA World Masters Championships last summer. Baker's squad features a group of talented players from West Coast programs. The team includes six players from UCLA, four from Stanford, two from California and one from San Diego State. \nBaker, however, will have his eyes on IU All-American junior Krista Peterson, who may be in the running for a possible spot on the Team USA squad in the near future. In her career, Peterson has already been part of a winning junior national team in 2002, when she helped the squad take gold at the Junior-Pan American Games by scoring seven goals. She was also named first-team All-American at Senior Nationals in 2002 and the 2000 Junior Olympics.\nAt IU, Peterson helped the Hoosiers win the Collegiate Water Polo Association Conference Championship for the first time in school history in addition to clinching a berth in the NCAA Final Four in 2003. Her career stats at IU are impressive -- she is second in school history with 152 goals. Peterson has also dished out 79 assists and recorded 88 steals. Her exceptional play earned her MVP honors at the 2003 CWPA Eastern Championship on top of All-American honors during her sophomore season. \nPeterson has had help in carrying the load this season, as a number of players have stepped up. Seniors Melissa Pietras and Kristy Streefkerk consistently bring experience and leadership in the pool. Junior Kandace Waldthaler has contributed to the Hoosiers' success this season by being a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end, behind only Peterson in scoring, with 33 goals. \nIn addition, the Hoosiers have been proud of the play of their large recruiting class. King's eight freshmen recruits have improved throughout the season and have made an impact early on in their careers at IU. \nThe Canadian duo of Kristin Zernicke and Janis Pardy has been solid all season for King as well. Zernicke leads the squad with 35 steals on the year and her fellow classmate and teammate Pardy is in second with 25. \nJunior Jessica Goldner has been strong at goal this season, allowing just under five goals per game, while saving just under eight per contest.\nKing and his squad are very excited for the opportunity to swim alongside the world's best. Freshman Kara Wooley said she believes she and her teammates are lucky to be playing against a squad of Team USA's caliber, since it is uncommon for a national team in any sport to take on a collegiate program. \n"I think it's awesome just to get a chance to play with that great of a team, especially in college," Wooley said. "To be able to experience being in the pool with them should be an honor."\nPeterson had similar feelings toward the match against Team USA and is anxious to face the world's best.\n"I'm excited because this will be a great opportunity for us," said Peterson. "They are a great team and have a lot to teach us. It's going to be a wonderful experience because not too many teams get a chance like this."\nKing said she believes the national team should expose many of his team's weaknesses and help the squad work on them as they get ready for the CWPA conference tournament and another run at the NCAA Final Four.\n"I'm looking forward to Thursday," said King. "It's going to be a lot of fun and to play the number one team in the world is a wonderful opportunity for us."\nGame time is set for 7 p.m. at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center located in the Student Recreation Sports Center. Admission to the match is free. \n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.