Just missed

The IU men's water polo team took to the SRSC aquatic center on Friday, Oct. 26 for the Big Ten Championship. An overtime loss to the nations top team Purdue crushed IU's chance for a birth in the National Championship Tournament on Nov. 9.\nThe top two teams of the conference tournament advance to the National Tournament. IU entered the conference tournament with the third seed, behind first and second seeds, Purdue and Michigan. The tournament held true to the seedings.\nThe Hoosiers defeated Michigan State 8-3 on Friday. The team returned to the pool Saturday and defeated Northwestern 13-8. Michigan's win against Michigan State Saturday set up a match with the Hoosiers that night.\nThe No. 10 ranked Wolverines over-matched the Hoosiers, winning 14-7. The loss put IU in a must win situation against powerhouse Purdue. The Hoosiers battled the Boilermakers before falling in overtime 8-7.\nIU was relegated to play in the third place match, and defeated Illinois 5-4 to finish third overall.\nFour IU players earned All-Conference honors. Jeff Kacerek and Brian Semple were voted First Team All Big Ten. Jeff Becker and Aaron Witwer were named by Big Ten coaches to the Honorable Mention 3rd team.