Water polo update
With all the MGoBoard softball love, a shout out to another of the minor sports seems in order. After stumbling a bit out of the gate to a 2-2 start (both losses coming to top 4 teams), Michigan has scorched the California earth, amassing a 10-2 record, while playing unranked opposition only twice.
Tonight was an historic occasion for the Wolverines, as two players put their names into the Michigan record books. Senior Alison Mantel set the all time UM assists record, with 3 against Marist and 1 against Long Beach State. Sophomore goalie Alex Adamson, meanwhile, became the first-ever Michigan goalkeeper to backstop a complete-game shutout, as Michigan rolled Long Beach State, 6-0 (the 4 previous shotouts in UM history were combined efforts).
Tough opposition looms, as tomorrow Michigan is guaranteed to face two more top-ten opponents, including a possible rematch with #3 UCLA, who handed UM a tough 6-5 loss earlier in the year.
Water polo is a lot like softball, being a sport where the balance of power tilts heavily to California/West Coast teams, but Michigan is intent on cracking into the nation's elite. We've made several nice tourney runs, and have dominated Eastern water polo for some time. A national title is the next step, and it is only a matter of time!
February 13th, 2011 at 1:29 AM ^
"Michigan has scorched the California earth, amassing a 10-2 record, while playing unranked opposition only twice."
Well, damn. Impressive.
February 13th, 2011 at 1:31 AM ^
....and i was shocked to see UM in the top 10. all the other schools are Cali based except for HI and U of M. Pretty impressive. But then again, the majority of the team is made up of Cali players.
February 13th, 2011 at 1:34 AM ^
Dang, how does Michigan get so many ranked teams in the same stretch of the schedule?
February 13th, 2011 at 1:41 AM ^
Well, we certainly don't shy away from scheduling them at all, for one. Also, I think that perhaps there are just fewer water polo teams overall, so there is a higher proportion of ranked teams to total teams than in other sports.
It's pretty funny looking at the rankings, too, b/c at least half of the teams have "California" somewhere in their name!
February 13th, 2011 at 1:44 AM ^
So it's more like the CCHA where there's only 20 or so high-powered teams out there. Cool, thanks.
February 13th, 2011 at 1:51 AM ^
Since we have our MGoArmistace, the B1G hockey conference will be absolutely stacked. I wouldn't be surprised if most were ranked, even though they only do fifteen for hockey.
February 13th, 2011 at 2:00 AM ^
I'm glad we can set aside our differences and get back to quality posting and DOMINATING threads with well-written, witty, insightful comments.
February 13th, 2011 at 2:02 AM ^
Seriously though, agreed. And the hockey conference will be absolutely nuts.
February 13th, 2011 at 2:08 AM ^
I assume all 12 B1G teams will be in the conference. Who's really good besides M, MSU, and OSU? And when does it start? I'm a little behind on this particular point.
February 13th, 2011 at 2:14 AM ^
It won't be. It'll be M, MSU, OSU, Wisconsin, Minnesota and PSU.
M, MSU, W and Minn. all are historically dominant to differing degrees.
The others won't be a part for different reasons, but apparently Indiana will join if they can find appropriate facilities, and Illinois will with a Title IX sport added.
February 13th, 2011 at 2:23 AM ^
That sounds pretty cool, actually.
February 13th, 2011 at 2:30 AM ^
Penn State will be a weakling for a few years, but the rest of the conference will be ridiculously stacked. Think SOS out of the SEC East but more (Fred Jackson talking).
February 13th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
Yes, Coach Anderson definitely wants to pay the best teams. Plus, he recruits the Cali girls with the promise that they will travel to Cali a couple times so their families can see them play. And so they can escape the brutal Michigan winters.
February 13th, 2011 at 1:54 AM ^
Good Job Anderson.
<br>
<br>True Michigan Man.
February 13th, 2011 at 8:43 AM ^
several of the rules (hint to NC2A rules guys: money making opportunity here), I am going to confine myself to soccer, bball, f'dball, lax, and the same (with several helpings) on the distaff side whenever appropriate. I know I am evincing some of the same lamentable closed-mindedness (not to mention masculinism) as some of my comrades here--some of whom I have worked hard to distance myself from. (As Rupert said in Women In Love, I am not really one for 'trooping off in a gang.') But so be it; I cannot get to water polo. In plain and in sum: too many nuthuggers, too many white haunches. And bad hats.
February 13th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
Wow, so respecting the hard work & accomplishments of Michigan women over the last decade to turn our program into a national power against tremendous odds due to our location just wasn't on the table for you, eh?
February 13th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
After his comment, I would just recommend to not feed the trolls.
Anyone with that view of women's sports is an obvious douchebag.
February 13th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^
- Refer to sports like water polo as non-revenue, not minor.
- Prepare diaries for non-revenue sports updates. You tend to get fewer comments, but generally the commenters are interested in discussing what was actually presented.
February 13th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
Good call on both points, in the future I will see to it!
February 13th, 2011 at 11:38 AM ^
Drown all those wussy Cali swimmers.
February 14th, 2011 at 9:36 AM ^
Thank you for the update! I love water polo and played on OU's (Go Rufus!!) Club team. It's a great sport and lots of fun to play! It would be great for Michigan to break the California/west coast hold on the sport. Time will tell and they seem to headed in the right direction.
February 14th, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^
+1 for Rufus.