Michigan Clinches Fourth Straight CWPA Divisional Title

Sunday, March 28

Slippery Rock, Pa.

11:00 AM

Michigan

Washington & Jefferson

Michigan Clinches Fourth Straight CWPA Divisional Title

3/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo

Site: Slippery Rock, Pa. (Morrow Field House Pool)
Event: CWPA Divisional Weekend
Scores: #8 Michigan 12, Washington & Jefferson 5; #8 Michigan 19, Salem International 4
Records: U-M (24-7)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 3 -- vs. Cal State-Northridge (10 a.m.), vs. Loyola Marymount (6 p.m.) at Indiana Invitational (Bloomington, Ind.)

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The eighth-ranked University of Michigan women's water polo team earned two more victories today (Sunday, March 28) to win its fourth consecutive CWPA Division title. The Wolverines topped Washington & Jefferson 12-5 at 11 a.m. and then completed its sweep of the conference schedule with a 19-4 win against Salem International at 2 p.m. Both games were played at Slippery Rock's Morrow Field House Pool.

The Wolverines received outstanding offensive and defensive performances from a number of players. Shana Welch (Larksville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West HS) led U-M with four goals against Washington & Jefferson. Welch and Sheetal Narsai (Commerce, Calif./Bell Gardens HS) added a school-record five steals apiece against the Presidents.

Against SIU, Jamie Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS), Jenna Green (Atherton, Calif./Menlo HS), Kristin Hoogenboom (Portland, Ore./Sunset HS) and Clare Peyrebrune (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita HS) all posted hat tricks, with Brown leading the way with five markers. In net for Michigan, Sharon Warner (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline HS) totaled 17 saves over the two games.

In the first contest of the day against Washington & Jefferson, U-M took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter only to see the Presidents tie the game 1-1 in the early going. The Wolverines responded with a four-goal run spanning into the second quarter to take a 5-1 lead early in the period. After a goal from W&J that made the score 5-2, Michigan notched two more scores to take a 7-2 lead just before halftime. The Presidents scored once more before the end of the second quarter, cutting U-M's lead to 7-3 at the intermission.

The Wolverines scored quickly in the third quarter to make the score 8-3, but W&J answered late in the period to draw within four heading into the final period. Michigan then started the fourth quarter with another four-goal run to seal the victory. The Presidents scored one last time before time ran out to make the final score 12-5 in favor of the Wolverines.

Against Salem International, Michigan found itself in a 1-0 deficit early in the first quarter. The Maize and Blue answered with three straight tallies to take a 3-1 lead after the first period of play. After a quick U-M marker to start the second frame, SIU got back on the board to make the score 4-2 midway through the period. Once again, the Wolverines responded to the SIU score with a flurry of goals. This time, Michigan went on a four-goal run to make the score 8-2 at the half.

In the second half, the Wolverines continued to dominate SIU, outscoring their opponents 5-1 in the third quarter and 6-1 in the final period.

The Wolverines will next travel to Bloomington, Ind., to participate in the Indiana Invitational. Michigan will face No. 20 Cal State-Northridge at 10 a.m. and No. 7 Loyola Marymount at 6 p.m. on Saturday (April 3).

GAME SUMMARY

Game 1	1	2	3	4	F
Washington & Jefferson	1	2	1	1	5
Michigan	4	3	1	4	12

Scoring
Washington & Jefferson Goals: Ryann Franklin 2, Brandi Shoupe, Deidre Sandrock, Sarah Denny. Michigan Goals: Shana Welch 4, Wesley Ellison 2, Erin Brown 2, Sheetal Narsai, Kristin Hoogenboom, Jenna Green, Julie Nisbet. Ejections: Washington & Jefferson 8, Michigan 6.

Game 2	1	2	3	4	F
Salem International	1	1	1	1	4
Michigan	3	5	5	6	19

Scoring
Salem International Goals: Unavailable. Michigan Goals: Jamie Brown 5, Jenna Green 4, Kristin Hoogenboom 3, Clare Peyrebrune 3, Wesley Ellison, Lindsay Hitchcock, Vickie Brown, Elise Spadavecchio. Ejections: Salem International 10, Michigan 2.

Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423