April 19, 2002

VILLANOVA, Pa. --- On opening night of the Southern Championships at the Villanova swim center, the Villanova women's water polo team fell to the # 17 nationally ranked Indiana Hoosiers by a final score of 19-5. With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 5-18 overall as the Hoosiers improve to 16-12 on the season.

Leading 4-3 after the first quarter, the Hoosiers exploded for seven straight second quarter goals to take a commanding 11-3 lead with just under one minute to play. Wildcat senior Erin Agee responded with a goal with just 37 seconds left on the clock but the Hoosiers still held a commanding 11-4 lead at the break. In the 7-1 second quarter run, Hoosier freshman Krista Peterson led Indiana with three goals. To open up third quarter play, the Hoosiers continued where they left off connecting on four shots to increase their lead to 15-4. Agee then connected on her second goal of the match for Villanova at the 2:14 mark to break Indiana's four goal run but the Hoosiers would rattle off eight straight goals down the stretch and would go on for the convincing 19-5 victory.

In the loss, Agee led Villanova with three goals on the night while sophomore Jennifer Rosick and freshman Ellen Howe each chipped in with one goal apiece. Peterson, Kristin Stanford and Molly Fonner each tallied four goals apiece for Indiana in the victory.

The Wildcats will return on Saturday, April 20, when they take on Washington and Jefferson at 3:30 p.m.

In earlier action, the University of Michigan defeated Slippery Rock, 22-4, in the opening match of the tournament. Jen Crisman and Casey Kerney led the Wolverines with four goals each while Stephanie Rupp and Julie Nisbet added three scores each. Princeton also tallied their first victory of the tournament dropping Gannon 14-7. Kathryn Parolin, Kelly Melia-Teevan and Adele McCarty-Beauvais each netted three goals apiece for the Tigers in the victory.

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (FRIDAY, APRIL 19)

Michigan def. Slippery Rock, 22-4

Princeton def. Gannon, 14-7

Indiana def. Villanova, 19-5