A strong first quarter proved too much for IU water polo to overcome as it lost 16-8 to Michigan on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Hoosiers came in to the match looking for their first win against the Wolverines since 2015. However, Michigan owns the all-time series lead 48-21-2 and looked to extend that this weekend.
Freshman goalkeeper Sarah Greeven got the nod to start in this match for the Hoosiers. Greeven tallied nine saves and a steal throughout the match.
Michigan came out hot, netting six goals in the first quarter. Junior attacker Gillian Gatecliff got the Hoosiers going with a goal that was assisted on by freshman attacker Tina Doherty.
Right before the first quarter ended, junior driver Emily Powell found freshman Izzy Mandema for another goal, cutting the deficit to four.
Entering the second quarter, the Hoosiers kept up with the Wolverines. Tina Doherty netted two more goals. Sophomore utility Carlie Crumbaugh also netted a huge goal for IU to cut the lead before half. Each team scored three goals in the second quarter sending Michigan to halftime with a 9-5 lead.
IU came out in the third quarter looking to keep pace with Michigan in a close match. The Hoosiers held the Wolverines to only four goals, but couldn’t get the offensive attack going. Mandema had the lone goal for the Hoosiers in the third quarter which was assisted on again by Powell.
Entering the fourth quarter of play the Hoosiers stayed productive on defense. Michigan was held to just three goals in the quarter, but it still wasn’t enough. IU and its offensive attack couldn’t make up for the six goals allowed in the first quarter and fell to Michigan by a score of 16-8.
Powell dished out three assists throughout the match, setting up Doherty, Mandema and Crumbaugh for goals.
Doherty stood out on offense again with 11 total shots on goal, four goals, one assist and two steals.
The Hoosiers record drops to 5-13. IU will now get a few weeks off from play and return to the pool on April 13 and 14 in San Jose, California, to take on No. 19 San Jose State University and No. 4 University of California, Berkley.
