Michigan Dominates on First Day of Division Tourney

Saturday, March 9

Grove City, Pa.

1:00 PM

Michigan

Washington & Jefferson

3/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo

Site: Grove City, Pa. (College and Rec Pool)
Event: Southern Division Tournament
Scores: #13 Michigan 18, Washington & Jefferson 1;
    #13 Michigan 19, Grove City 3
Records: U-M (10-10, 10-0 CWPA)
Next Event: Sunday, March 10 -- vs. Penn State-Behrend (11:30 a.m.), at Slippery Rock (2:30 p.m.) at Southern Division Tournament (Slippery Rock, Pa.)

GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan women's water polo team pushed its overall record back to .500 on Saturday (March 9) on the first day of the opening Southern Division Tournament at Grove City's College and Rec Pool. The Wolverines opened the day by defeating Washington & Jefferson 18-1 and then wrapped up the afternoon by beating Grove City 19-3. With the wins, U-M is off to a quick start in determining its placement for the Division Championships (April 19-21) in Villanova, Pa.

In game one on Saturday the Wolverines left little in doubt as they blew out the Presidents from Washington & Jefferson. Michigan jumped out early with seven goals in the first seven minutes. With five more markers in the second quarter, U-M held a commanding 12-0 advantage at the half. The Maize and Blue added to its lead in the second half by finding the back of the Presidents' cage four more times in the third period. Michigan's shutout bid was terminated in the fourth quarter when W & J was able to score its lone goal by way of a penalty shot.

Ten Michigan players scored in the game, with Chelsea Kay (Laguna Hills, Calif./Laguna Hills HS) and Jo Antonsen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura Hills HS) recording hat tricks. Scoring two goals each were Casey Kerney (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park HS), Maribeth Sitkowski (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep HS), Erin Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) and Jineane Shibuya (Honolulu, Hawaii/Mid-Pacific Institute).

In the late afternoon game, Michigan took on the host school, Grove City College. Once again the Wolverines came out strong in the opening quarter to gain a 10-0 lead. The 10 goals set a new Michigan record for most goals in a single quarter, eclipsing the previous high of nine goals against Grove City on April 6, 2001. The Maize and Blue added two more goals in the second to take a 12-0 lead into halftime. U-M continued its strong play in the second half, outscoring Grove City 7-3 to earn a 19-3 victory.

The second game was another solid team effort as 11 Wolverines found the back of the net. Megan Hayes (Atherton, Calif./St. Francis HS), Sheetal Narsai (Commerce, Calif./Bell Garden HS), Sitkowski, Kerney and Kay each scored two goals in the win. After seeing the first playing time of her career in the opener, goalie Jessica Falarski (Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont HS) made her first career start and posted eight saves. She totaled 19 saves in the two games combined.

On Sunday (March 10), the Wolverines will make the short trip to Slippery Rock, Pa., to take on Penn State-Behrend (11:30 p.m.) and Slippery Rock (2:30 p.m.) in the second and final day of the Division Tournament.

GAME SUMMARIES