FRESNO, Calif. \u2013 No. 10 Indiana water polo used an all-around team performance to starve off host No. 7 Fresno State at Polopalooza on Saturday at Fresno State Aquatic Center.
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\n\tIndiana (1-0) fended off a pair of 6-on-5 opportunities in the first quarter with six minutes to go as it would highlight a defensive battle. Sophomore Olivia Harris<\/a> and freshman Audrina Kang<\/a> scored goals, but Fresno State (1-1) added a pair of their own as the first eight minute needed in a 2-2 tie.
\n\tIt was the Hoosiers who had the advantage in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs, 4-1, and taking a 6-3 lead at the break. Harris notched her second goal early in the frame while senior goalie Jasmine Higgs<\/a> added to her impressive first half with a goalie goal to make it 4-2.
\n\tSophomore Keira Blitzer<\/a> scored along with Kang on a 5-meter penalty in the second.
\n\tFresno State scored the first three goals in the third to tie the game up with 2:43 left. The two teams traded goals late in the period, ending in an 8-8 tie going to the fourth.
\n\tSenior Louisa Downes<\/a> pushed her team ahead by two on a pair of goals from the right side making it a 10-8 lead with 5:34 to go in the fourth. The Bulldogs attempted the comeback but the ultimate decider would be freshman Kylie Williams’s<\/a> first career goal in center with four minutes to play.
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\n\tIndiana opens with a win for the sixth time in the Taylor McInerney<\/a> era.
\n\tThe Hoosiers secure a victory over Fresno State for the first time since the 2018 season opener and are now ahead in the all-time series, 3-2.
\n\tHiggs had a spectacular day in cage, playing all 32 minutes with 11 saves and a goal. She recorded eight of her saves in the first half.
\n\tKang and Williams each scored their first career goals as Hoosiers. They helped lead IU in scoring with two goals each along with Downes and Harris.
\n\tHarris finished the day with four total points as she led with two assists in the victory.
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\nUP NEXT
\nIU wraps up play at Polopalooza against No. 8 UC Irvine at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday.
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\nFor all the latest on Indiana University women’s water polo, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaWPolo on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.
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\n#NeverDaunted