The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) announced Thursday their weekly honorees for the first weekend of the 2017 season, and junior Kelly Matthews was named the CWPA Player of the Week. Additionally, junior Jess Gaudreault was an honorable mention for Defensive Player of the Week, and freshman Mollie Williams received honorable mention for the Rookie of the Week award.
Matthews guided the Hoosiers to an 8-5 win against No. 5 Hawaii, their highest-ranked win in program history, with a five-goal output. The goals were Matthews’ first of the season, highlighted by three consecutive fourth quarter scores that turned a one-goal deficit into a two-point lead. Matthews also added two steals and six drawn ejections to the weekend effort.
The game was Matthews’ eighth of her career with five-plus goals in a single game, and the award marked her fourth career weekly honor from the CWPA.
Gaudreault made a welcoming return to the Cream & Crimson with a solid effort in cage last weekend. The junior tallied 57 saves across five games, including 15 saves versus No. 23 CSU Northridge and 13 blocks against No. 3 UCLA. The 15 saves against the Matadors came one shy of her single-game career high, set on March 29, 2014 against Michigan.
Williams made the best of her brief time training with the Hoosiers after joining the team at the semester break. The Sydney, Australia native racked up eight goals in her debut weekend, featuring braces against No. 25 CSU Bakersfield, No. 9 UC Santa Barbara, and No. 3 UCLA. Williams also drew four ejections versus No. 23 CSU Northridge.
The No. 11 Hoosiers (3-2) return to action next weekend at the Bruno Classic on Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5. They face games against No. 24 Marist, No. 21 Wagner, and Azusa Pacific before an exhibition against CWPA foe Brown.
CWPA Weekly Honors – January 25, 2017
Player of the Week: Kelly Matthews (Indiana University)
Hon. Mention: Maddy Steere (University of Michigan)
Defensive Player of the Week: Heidi Ritner (University of Michigan)
Hon. Mention: Jessica Gaudreault (Indiana University)
Rookie of the Week: Heidi Ritner (University of Michigan)
Hon. Mention: Mollie Williams (Indiana University)
