This weekend turned into a successful one for water polo, as IU knocked off Brown, Harvard, George Washington and Bucknell on its way to a 4-1 record on the weekend.
IU began with Brown on Friday, and junior defender Karrie Kozokar got things off to a quick start with two goals in just over a minute. Kozokar nabbed two more in the second quarter, and IU led 7-2 at the break.
The two teams scored two goals apiece in the second half, and IU came out with 9-4 victory. Senior defender Kelly Matthews led the defensive effort with four steals, and senior goalkeeper Jessica Gaudreault was steady as usual between the post as she racked up eight saves.
IU began Saturday with a matchup with No. 15 Princeton. The first quarter was hotly contested, as Kozokar continued her weekend with two goals in the first quarter, and the two teams were tied 3-3 after the quarter.
Princeton gained a one-goal advantage going into halftime, as sophomore attacker Joelle Nacouzi’s second goal was cancelled out by two goals from the Tigers. After an even third quarter, Princeton used a four-goal explosion in the final quarter on its way to a 10-8 victory.
The Hoosiers took on No. 22 Harvard in the second game, and IU got off to a good start by pitching a shutout in the first quarter. A Kelly Matthews goal was enough for an early lead.
Harvard stormed back with three goals of its own in the second, but two goals from Kozokar and another from Nacouzi were enough to give IU a 4-3 lead at halftime. The Hoosiers stifled the Harvard attack in the second half, and won 7-6. Kozokar led the team with three steals, while Gaudreault was solid again with six saves.
The Hoosiers began their Sunday with a showdown with George Washington, and Matthews got IU off to a quick start by scoring 31 seconds into the contest. The two teams were tied at halftime after the Hoosiers failed to score in the second quarter. Thanks to a second-half hat trick from senior attacker Sarah Myers, the IU offense came alive after the break, scoring six goals on the way to a 9-5 win.
IU ended its weekend with a game against Bucknell, and the Hoosiers dominated from start to finish. Matthews scored a hat-trick in the first quarter, and IU led 7-2 at halftime. Nacouzi, Kozokar, sophomore driver Emily Powell and freshman driver Juli Hilovsky all scored in the second half, and the Hoosiers finished their weekend with an 11-5 victory.
The Hoosiers pushed their conference mark to 5-3 for the season with the conference tournament scheduled for April 27. Their opponent has yet to be determined.
