Ann Arbor, Mich. – With only a minute and a half gone from the fourth quarter, the Hoosiers clung to a one-goal lead over Princeton. Up to this point, Indiana was 14-1 when leading after three quarters, but it would take a fortuitous defensive effort to keep the Tigers at bay.
Karrie Kozokar doubled Indiana’s lead with three minutes to go, but Princeton pulled within a score with 60 seconds left in the game. The Tigers regained possession and drew an ejection for a power-play opportunity on the final possession.
The IU defense, with a personnel disadvantage, held their ground. They made the steal and maintained possession until the final horn.
The Indiana Hoosiers (17-6, 2-1) held off the Princeton Tigers (13-5, 0-2) with swift execution on both sides of the pool in their 8-7 win. Once again, Candyce Schroeder led the attack with a hat trick, her eighth of the season. Freshman Kate Pipkin capped another stellar weekend with a goal and four assists, bringing her total to 10 in the Hoosiers’ two games.
Sarah Myers notched her sixth multi-goal game of the season with two scores. Following Myers were Kozokar with her game-clinching goal, and Sarah Young with a stunning high-power delivery from long range.
Kelly Matthews maintained her team lead on the assist category with a trio of connections, her 12th multi-assist game of the year. Freshman Kaybree Albright added one assist to the Hoosiers’ winning effort.
Sarah Myers and Kate Pipkin combined to win all four sprints over the Tigers, giving the Hoosiers a perfect eight-for-eight weekend on opening sprints.
Six Indiana field players combined for 12 steals on the defensive end, led by Myers with four. Myers has made one or more steal in 14 games this season, and tonight’s contest was her second with four picks.
The Hoosiers battled back from a 2-1 deficit in the first quarter to tie the game by halftime at 3-3. Indiana made their move in the third quarter, with goals from Myers, Schroeder, and Young giving the Hoosiers the lead they held until the end.
Up Next: CWPA Water Polo at Princeton University
Saturday–Sunday, April 16-17, 2016 • DeNunzio Pool • Princeton, N.J.
Saturday, April 16
10:00 a.m. – #15 Indiana (17-6, 2-1) vs. Brown (9-19, 1-2)
3:20 p.m. – #15 Indiana (17-6, 2-1) vs. George Washington (6-11, 0-2)
Sunday, April 17
11:40 a.m. – #15 Indiana (17-6, 2-1) vs. Bucknell (13-12, 1-1)
3:40 p.m. – #15 Indiana (17-6, 2-1) vs. #21 Hartwick (15-8, 3-0)
The conclusion of the 2016 regular season awaits the Hoosiers on the other side of next weekend. Standing between them and a high seed in the 2016 CWPA Tournament are a series of tough conference opponents at Princeton’s DeNunzio Pool.
On Saturday, Indiana opens with a rematch against the Brown Bears. The Hoosiers and Bears met earlier this season at the Bruno Classic, and Indiana won 15-7. After that, Indiana will take the pool versus George Washington. The Hoosiers are 10-0 all-time against the Colonels.
Indiana closes the regular season on Sunday with a game against Bucknell before playing #21 Hartwick. The Hawks are 3-0 after their first weekend in CWPA action, and will give Indiana a tough test before the CWPA Tournament.
Swimming news courtesy of Indiana Water Polo.