BOSTON – With three weeks of uninterrupted training between their last slate of games, the Triton Invitational, and this weekend’s Harvard Invitational, the No. 19 Hoosiers (8-4) were eager to take the weekend by storm.
They began the weekend doing just that, and two strong first halves resulted in a pair of Saturday wins for Indiana.
Candyce Schroeder, who played a facilitating role on offense through the bulk of the early season, took charge on the score sheet with a team-leading seven goals in the Hoosiers’ first two games. Her four goals in the first quarters helped the Hoosiers launch into early leads.
On the defensive end, senior goalkeeper Mary Campbell racked up 25 saves between the two games, and notched an assist in transition in the Hoosiers’ win over No. 17 Wagner.
No. 19 Indiana at the Harvard Invitational • March 5, 2016
Game 1 (8:00 a.m. ET): Indiana 14, Iona 10
The Hoosiers kicked off the Harvard Invitational with the first game of the weekend, a morning showdown against the Iona Gaels. After allowing the Gaels to tie it at 1-1 midway through the first quarter, Indiana regained the lead 30 seconds later. They extended their lead from there and held it until the final whistle.
Schroeder and sophomore Kelly Matthews led the scoring effort with four goals apiece. Karrie Kozokar netted her sixth multi-goal game of the season with two, followed by Kaybree Albright, Sarah Myers, Bronwyn Smith, and Sarah Young.
In the cage, Campbell tallied 12 saves and held the Gaels to just three first half scores. It was her fourth game this season with 10 or more saves.
After the tying goal by Iona to square the game at 1-1, Indiana pulled ahead with consecutive goals by Myers and Schroeder within the next minute of play. A score from Young, followed by Schroeder’s second score, gave the Hoosiers a 5-2 lead after eight minutes.
Matthews’ four-goal effort was her ninth multi-goal game of the season, her sixth with four or more scores. The sophomore leads Indiana with 35 scores on the season.
Game 2 (1:00 p.m. ET): Indiana 10, Wagner 6
The second test of the day provided a tougher challenge, a rematch against 17th-ranked Wagner. Once again, Indiana utilized a strong first half to snap the Seahawks’ four-game winning streak in a 10-6 win.
Schroeder and Kozokar netted hat tricks to lead the Hoosiers on the score sheet. From, there, Indiana spread the attack with goals from four sources: Matthews, Young, Kate Pipkin, and Jennifer Beadle.
Mary Campbell posted a season-high 13 saves from the cage as she continued her impressive run in goal. The senior showcased her effectiveness on both sides of the pool, adding an assist in transition.
It was Wagner who opened scoring in the first minute of play, but Schroeder quickly knotted the score line within 30 seconds. The teams battled through a first quarter that finished at 2-2.
Indiana responded with a 3-1 run through the second quarter. Goals by Matthews, Schroeder, and Young in the final three minutes of the half lifted IU to a 5-2 lead at the break.
The Hoosiers refused to let up in the second half. A 4-0 run over nearly 10 minutes between the third and fourth quarters put Indiana up by five goals, an insurmountable lead for Wagner.
The win was Indiana’s fifth win over ranked opponents, and gave the Hoosiers a winning record against nationally-ranked competition.
With the wins, Indiana remains unbeaten all-time against Wagner and Iona at a combined 19-0.
Up Next: No. 19 Indiana (8-4) vs. Siena (1-11)
Sunday, March 6, 2016 • 1:00 p.m. ET
Boston, Mass. • Blodgett Pool
Indiana will play their final out-of-conference opponent on the east coast in their game against Siena on Sunday afternoon, while hoping to add to a five-game win streak. The Saints are 1-11, and bring a 10-game losing skid into Sunday’s game against the Hoosiers. Indiana is 2-0 all-time against Siena.
Swimming news courtesy of Indiana Water Polo.
