Michigan
U.S. National Team
Wolverines Fall to U.S. National Team on Senior Night
4/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Canham Natatorium)
Score: U.S. National Team 14, #8 Michigan 3 (exhibition)
Next U-M Event: Sat-Sun., Apr. 17-18 -- host CWPA West Division Championship (Canham Natatorium)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The eighth-ranked University of Michigan women's water polo team closed out its regular season with a 14-3 exhibition loss to the U.S. National Team tonight (Tuesday, April 6) at Canham Natatorium. The Wolverines trailed by only one after the first period and outscored the National Team 2-1 in the third, but six goals in both the second and fourth quarters allowed Team USA to coast to victory in the first-ever meeting between the two squads.
The night was also special for seniors Rachel Burkons (Van Nuys, Calif./Harvard Westlake HS), Julie Nisbet (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara HS) and Stephanie Rupp (Hemet, Calif./Hemet HS), who played in their final regular-season home game for the Wolverines and were honored in a pregame ceremony.
The match started with both teams playing very strong defensively. The National Team kept the Wolverines from being able to enter the ball into the hole set, causing a number of turnovers early. Michigan answered with defensive pressure of its own, causing a number of Team USA's early shots to sail high or hit the post. The National Team finally broke the tie with just over one minute to play in the opening quarter, taking a 1-0 lead in the second period.
The game opened up in the second quarter, with the National Team taking a 2-0 lead with 5:56 on the clock. Just over one minute later, U-M responded, cutting the lead to 2-1. Nisbet forced a turnover deep in the U.S. end of the pool and found Shana Welch (Larksville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West HS) in front of the cage for the score. The National Team then seized control of the game, scoring five goals before the half. After 14 minutes of play, the U.S. held a 7-1 lead.
Michigan got out of the gate well in the third period, scoring the first two goals of the quarter to close to within 7-3. After the Wolverines were awarded a power play on their first possession of the half, Megan Hausmann (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) scored the ball from five meters out, with the assist going to Welch. Meg Knudtsen (Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis HS) then found the back of the net at the 5:29 mark.
The National Team scored the final seven goals of the game, including six in the fourth to seal the win.
The Wolverines (25-8) will stay at home to host the CWPA Western Division Championships on April 17-18. Michigan earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament and will face either Penn State Behrend or Salem International on Saturday, April 17, at 2 p.m. All games will be played at Canham Natatorium.
Game Summary
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| U.S. National Team | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 14 |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
U.S. National Team Goals: Brenda Villa 4, Ellen Estes 2, Thalie Munro 2, Natalie Golda 2, Erika Lorenz, Margaret Dingeldein, Kelly Rulon, Gabrielle Domanic. Michigan Goals: Megan Hausmann, Shana Welch, Meg Knudtsen. Ejections: U.S. National Team 5, Michigan 3.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Matt Anderson
Opening statement ... "It went well. Our goal was to come out strong and we held them to only one goal in the first period. Then our goal in the third period was to win the period and we did, 2-1. So the two quarters we really focused on we played them even at 2-2. Then I played a lot more of our players. The second and fourth quarters, I wanted to get everybody in the water. We did some good things and were able to work on some things that will be successful when we play college teams. So I am happy. I don't care about the score. I care about what we were able to do against the 13 best players in the world."
On what he told the team before the game ... "I just told the team to have fun and not worry about making mistakes. This was an awesome opportunity for them."
On looking ahead to the postseason ... "There were a couple of things that we tried to do against them and we did them well. To the girls, it's like, 'If we were able to accomplish that tonight, we are going to be able to fine-tune it over the next couple weeks, so we are really playing well when we go to Divisions and Easterns."
Michigan Senior Center Julie Nisbet
On playing the National Team ... "These girls are the best in the world. You just learn something every possession. You are getting better every time down the pool. One of my high school teammates is actually on the national team, Thali Munro, so that was really cool to play against her. It was an amazing experience."
On what Michigan takes for this game ... "I think it's all positive. I don't think there was anything negative you could take for this team. Even if they were beating us, they weren't doing it in a catty way."
On tonight being Senior Night ... "I can't believe it's here. It has been a crazy four years, and it has been a wonderful four years. We have a couple championships still to win this year, so my career isn't over yet."
On Michigan's progression during her four years ... "This team has come so far in the last four years. Going from barely being respected as a varsity sport to being consistently in the top 10 in the nation -- that is why I came here to help make Michigan a respected program. We have gotten that far now and this game showcased it, even if the scoreboard did not. We looked good out there at times."
U.S. National Team Head Coach Guy Baker
On his team's level of play ... "I was pleased with it. I thought we passed the ball around well and got some good opportunities to shoot the ball. We hit the crossbar a couple of times early, and Betsy Armstrong is a really good goalie. So it was a good test for us. Sometimes we just got some good looks and Betsy could do nothing with it."
On Michigan's performance ... "All three of the teams that we have played during our college tour are usually pretty close during the first quarter. But eventually we are able to wear down everyone we play. Michigan's talent level is very strong."
On Michigan's growth in its first four years ... "There has been a lot of progression. When they started four years ago their level of play would be average at best. Now, however, they are playing with the top teams in the country. They have also taken care of the teams they are supposed to beat, which says a lot for an up-and-coming team."
On what Michigan means to collegiate water polo ... "Michigan having a strong team is very important to us nationally. One of our goals (as the U.S. National Team) is to help develop the sport nationally and not just regionally in California. They play a very important role in the development of this sport."
U.S. National Team Attacker Brenda Villa
On Michigan's level of competition ... "They were good. I remember playing them three years ago here when I played for Stanford, and I think the level of play has been better every year since."
N O T E S
• Tonight's game marked the first time the Wolverines have faced the National Team.
• With Michigan's starters in the pool in the first and third quarters, the Wolverines played the National Team even, 2-2.
• Seniors Rachel Burkons, Julie Nisbet and Stephanie Rupp all played in the final regular-season home game of their careers for the Maize and Blue.
