Michigan Takes First Game at Eastern Championship

Friday, April 26

Princeton, N.J.

2:10 PM

Michigan

George Washington

4/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo

PRINCETON, N.J. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan women's water polo team defeated George Washington 9-2 on Friday (April 26) in its first of two pool-play games at the Eastern Championship. Top-seeded Michigan (22-11) scored four goals in the second period and shut out the eighth-seeded Colonials in the second half to earn the victory. Julie Nisbet (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara HS) paced the Wolverines with three goals, while Erin Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) chipped in with a pair of tallies.

Brown

The Wolverines found themselves down early with a George Washington power-play goal in the first minute of play. U-M charged back to take the lead with back-to-back tallies from Sheetal Narsai (Commerce Calif./Bell Gardens HS) and Nisbet at the 4:17 and 3:17 marks, respectively. The Colonials missed a penalty shot with 45 seconds left in the quarter that would have tied the game, but instead Michigan held a 2-1 advantage.

The Maize and Blue pulled away in the second frame by scoring three straight goals, including two of the 6-on-5 variety, to take a 5-1 lead. GW answered the Michigan run with a score inside of two minutes, but Rebecca Godek (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) regained the four-goal lead for the Wolverines, 6-2.

The Michigan defense stepped up its play and held the Colonials scoreless in the second half. Brown scored her second goal of the game midway through the third period to extend the lead 7-2. The Wolverines added a pair of goals in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Michigan continues pool play Saturday morning (April 27) against No. 12 seed Villanova at 10:50 a.m. If the Wolverines win, they will play at 5:50 p.m. in the semifinals.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Michigan	2	4	1	2	9
George Washington	1	1	0	0	2

Scoring
Michigan Goals: Julie Nisbet 3, Erin Brown 2, Stephanie Morse, Chelsea Kay, Rebecca Gokek, Sheetal Narsai. GWU Goals: Mia Fabian, Juli Marhefka.

N O T E S

Julie Nisbet's three-goal performance gives her 42 goals on the season. She is now tied for first on the team with Casey Kerney (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park HS).

Contact: Matt Trevor, Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423