Success based on defense

Defense wins championships.

The IU water polo team’s five-game winning streak is predicated largely on defense, as the Hoosiers have allowed 4.8 goals per game in their past five matches. They look to take their strong defense into this weekend’s Aztec Invitational in San Diego.

The Hoosiers’ increased success on the defensive end of the pool comes from dictating how opponents run their offense, IU coach Barry King said.

“We’re controlling the action at the center better than we had previously,” King said. “It’s tougher for the opposing offenses to run their offense through the middle. The less time they’re running their offense through the middle, the more time we’re allowed to play defense further away from the cage. That’s an advantage because they’re shooting from further away and our keeper is ready to make a save.”

King said controlling the middle of the pool benefits the Hoosiers offensively as well.

“It shortens the pool for us counterattacking to offense,” he said.

Senior utility player Lauren Wyckoff said the Hoosiers have been focusing on defending each opponent’s offense in practice the last few weeks.

“The last few games we’ve proved that we’re a competitive team,” Wyckoff said. “We can play anyone.”

— Micah McVicker