May 4, 2008

Wolverines take 5th; clinch 1st winning season

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Grove City College women's water polo team earned an 8-6 victory over Carthage Sunday morning in the Fifth Place Match at the 2008 Collegiate III National Championships, hosted by Connecticut College. The victory gives Grove City a 13-12 overall final record for the season. It is Grove City's first winning season in the nine-year history of the program.

Grove City also posted its best-ever national finish by gaining sole possession of fifth. Last year, Grove City tied for fifth place at the Collegiate III National Championships.

Grove City led 6-5 entering the fourth quarter but extended the lead to 8-5 on goals from sophomore Liz Juncker (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) and freshman Lauren Baur (North Wales, Pa./North Penn).

Sophomore Kate Stiebler (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) led Grove City with three goals in the win while classmate Amanda Thompson (Erie, Pa./McDowell) scored twice. Junior Liza McRuer (Irvine, Calif./University) added a goal for the Wolverines. Stiebler also assisted on three goals while Thompson recorded an assist.

Senior goalkeeper Keala Walter (Keaau, Hawaii/Newberg, Ore.) capped her career at Grove City by stopping 11 shots. McRuer recorded a team-high six steals with Stiebler picking up three steals.

Stiebler received Second Team All-Tournament recognition while McRuer and Walter both earned Honorable Mention.

Grove City has participated in the Collegiate III National Championships in seven of the last eight seasons. The Wolverines went 3-2 at this year's Championships.

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