Michigan
Harvard
Michigan Sweeps First Day at Princeton Invitational
2/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Event: Princeton Invitational (Day 1)
Results: #15 Michigan 13 Harvard 4; #15 Michigan 6 #14 Hartwick 5
Records: U-M (3-2)
Next Event: Sunday, Feb. 17 -- vs. Bucknell at Princeton Invitational (Princeton, N.J.), 10 a.m.
PRINCETON, N.J. -- In its first road action of the season, the No. 15-ranked University of Michigan women's water polo team picked up two victories Saturday (Feb. 16) on the first day of the Princeton Invitational. The Wolverines defeated Harvard 13-4 behind four goals from freshman Casey Kerney (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park HS), then edged No. 14 Hartwick 6-5 to push its record above .500 for the first time this year (3-2).
In the opening game of the day, Michigan started slowly and led 2-1 after the first quarter. The second period told the story of the game as the Wolverines exploded for six goals while holding the Crimson scoreless and took a commanding 8-1 advantage into intermission. The Maize and Blue continued their strong play with another three goals in the third period and two more in the fourth.
Coming off of their most decisive win of the season, Michigan next faced No. 14 Hartwick College. Kerney and Emily Pelino (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) scored for Michigan in the first stanza to open up a 2-1 lead early in the match. The Hawks proved their resiliency as they outscored the Wolverines 2-0 in the second quarter to take a 3-2 lead at halftime. The Maize and Blue mounted a comeback in the third period to tie the game 5-5 going into the final quarter, and the Wolverines netted the decisive goal just a few minutes into the fourth quarter. Freshman Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) recorded 11 stops in net including a five-on-six save late in the game and two breakaways to preserve the win and complete Michigan's second come-from-behind victory of the year.
Michigan closes out its Princeton Invitational schedule with a 10 a.m. game Sunday against Bucknell.
GAME SUMMARIES
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Michigan | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
| Harvard | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Scoring
Michigan Goals: Casey Kerney 4, Sheetal Narsai 2, Stephanie Morse 1, Jen Crisman 1, Rachel Burkons 1, Julie Nisbet 1, Jineane Shibuya 1, Rebecca Godek 1, Erin Brown 1. Harvard Goals: T. Conini 1, Deacon 1, C. Conini 1, Goldsberry 1.
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Michigan | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Hartwick | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Scoring
Michigan Goals: Julie Nisbet 2, Casey Kerney 1, Emily Pelino 1, Mandi Hagedorn 1, Rachel Buckons 1. Indiana Goals: Megan Thompson 3, Kristin Hardman 1, Allison Loveless 1.
N O T E S
Michigan is now on a three-game winning streak. The Wolverines defeated Indiana on Jan. 27, then swept their opening games of the Princeton Tournament on Saturday (Feb. 16) against Harvard and Hartwick. U-M improved its record to 3-2 on the season.
Freshman Casey Kerney extended her goal-scoring streak to five games. She recorded her third hat trick of the season with four goals against Harvard and added one tally against Hartwick. Kerney leads the team with 13 goals on the season.
The Maize and Blue improved its record against Top 20 opponents to 2-2. Michigan has wins against then No. 20 Indiana on Jan. 27 and No. 14 Hartwick on Feb. 16.
Contact: Matt Trevor, Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
