IU to face Michigan in season opener

The IU water polo team is looking to build on an impressive 20-9 record last year as it begins its season this weekend at the Michigan Invitational in Ann Arbor. \nThe Hoosiers finished the season by placing third at the College Water Polo Association Eastern Championships and ranked No. 13 in the country. Thirteen letter winners return from last year's team, including three All Conference selections in seniors Krista Peterson, Kandace Waldthaler and Jessica Goldner. Peterson is also a two-time honorable mention All-American.\n"We're as good as we've ever been," coach Barry King said. "Our success is going to be a matter of getting our talent to mesh."\nHow quickly that happens will depend on the play of the seniors. Attackers Peterson and Waldthaler will look to score early and often, while Goldner will anchor the defense from the goalie position. \n"Early responsibility is going to rest with Peterson and Waldthaler," King said. "They know how it feels to put the ball in the net."\nPeterson and Waldthaler are the team leaders, but they will not be the only players contributing this weekend. The nucleus of last year's team remains intact, while five newcomers have joined the team this year, providing depth at both ends of the pool. \n"We have all the skills, athletes and ability (to succeed)," Peterson said. "We just need to prove it. I'm really anxious to see how we do in real action." \nThe No. 11 Hoosiers will rely on quality playing time from the whole team this weekend as they face No. 1 UCLA and No. 9 Michigan on Saturday, and then take on Colorado State on Sunday.\nThe first game will be against the 2003 NCAA Champion UCLA. The Bruins finished last season ranked No. 4 in the country. Four players return to the Bruins after redshirting last season. The four were training with the U.S. National team that won the bronze metal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. \n"UCLA will be a tough game," Peterson said. "They will be a good warm-up for Michigan." \nIndiana and Michigan have played each other 16 times over the last four years. While Michigan has won 15 of those match-ups, and owns the all-time series advantage, the Hoosiers have put up a good fight -- 10 of the last 16 games have been decided by two goals or less and six of those 16 games have gone into overtime. \n"We'll just go out and play our hardest," Goldner said. "Getting a shot at Michigan in the first weekend will be nice. Being a senior, I'm ready for it."\nIndiana and Colorado State have never faced each other in a water polo match because the Rams will be playing in their inaugural season as a varsity sport.\n"It'll be nice to finally see what we have," Goldner said. "I think we're gonna have a really strong year." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Steve Brennan at