Wednesday April 7, 2004 sports.michigandaity.com sports@michigandaily.com SPORTS 9 M' plays the best, loses to Team USA By Brad Johnson Daily Sports Writer In four months, the U.S. Olympic water polo team will compete in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece. But last night, the team came to Ann Arbor for a little appetizer. The women's U.S. National team stormed into Ann Arbor last night and defeated the Wolverines 14-3. The game kicked off the team's seven-city college tour in preparation for the 2004 Olympic games. "I don't care about the score;' Michigan coach Matt Anderson said. "I care about what we were able to do against the 13 best players in the world, and that's what it comes down to." Team USA, which is currently No. 1 in the world and the odds-on favorite to win the gold medal in Athens, had a variety of chances early against the Wolverines. But it failed to capitalize due to poor shooting out of the gates. Michigan hung tough throughout the first period, and was able to hold Team USA to a 1-0 lead after the first seven minutes. "I knew we were going to be able to match up in the first period, but eventually they are bigger and faster and stronger, so they are going to wear you out," Anderson said. Team USA exploded after the first period and scored 13 of the game's next 16 goals to put a stranglehold on the Wolverines. Though the score was lopsided, junior goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong was a bright spot for Michigan. She made several strong saves to keep the game from get- ting completely out of hand. "Betsey is a great goalie," said Guy Baker, Team USA's coach. "She did a good job ... Sometimes we just got some open looks. It had nothing to do with Betsey or anything like that, but it was a good test for us just as far as how well we are shooting." Freshman Shana Welch also played well for Michi- gan, scoring the team's first goal - much to the delight of the large crowd on hand at Canham Natatorium. Overall, the Wolverines looked at the game as a pos- itive learning experience heading into their postseason. "(The game) was incredible," senior Julie Nisbet said. "It's hard to explain. These girls - they're the best in the world right now, they won (the World Championship) - so if you can just learn something every single possession, every single time you're Weber, Iverson go head-to- headfor title of 'The Realest' vs. JIM WEBER The Champion ALLEN IVERSON The Challenger 'm not sure what made me sicker: the Arby's I just ate for dinner, or hearing Allen Iverson came out with a shoe that has "The Realest" printed across its sole. The Arby's sent me to the bath- room three times in five minutes; Iverson challenged my throne. I claimed this title in early February with my first column: "Jim Weber should not be confused with a realist: one with realistic expectations. He is The Realest: the most real. " With great power comes great responsibility. And being "The Realest" means accepting anyone's challenge. If that challenger is a five-time NBA All Star and former League MVP, so be it. With the ball in my court, I selected a wide variety of categories to settle the challenge (being The Realest also has many privileges). To the comparison chart: Category: Hardest headshot Weber Iverson Edge See above See above Iverson Senior Julie Nisbet, who has been part of the team since its inception, will end her home career in two weeks. guarding someone, you're learning and you're getting better. It was just an incredible experience." Even Michigan's opponent looked at the game as a learning experience. "I think that colleges are going to match up against different players on our team and try to give us differ- ent looks that we wouldn't get against ourselves," attacker Brenda Villa said. "Because right now, all we are doing is scrimmaging against ourselves. We know each other pretty well, so it makes us think, and it makes us become more aware in the water." Despite the fact that it was able to handle the Wolverines with ease, Team USA had nothing but posi- tive things to say about Michigan's program and its growth throughout its four short years of existence. "From four years ago when it first started, the level of play would be average at best, and now they are competing with the top teams in the country," Baker said. "Michigan having a strong team is very important for us nationally. One of (the National team's) goals is to help develop the sport nationally and (make water polo) not just be a California sport or a (regional) sport. When (Michigan starts) beating some of the top teams, and some of the top recruits start coming here and there's interest in things, then I think we'll truly be developing as a sport. They play an important role in the future of our sport." Villa was also extremely impressed with the improvement that she has seen at Michigan during her years as a water polo player at Stanford, and now as a member of Team USA. Nisbet has witnessed the program's growth firsthand, as she has been a member of the team since its incep- tion. Last night marked her final regular-season home game as a Wolverine. "If we had played this team my freshman year, it would have been a blowout completely, more so than it (was)," Nisbet said. "We wouldn't have even gotten a goal, I don't think. This team has come so far in the last three years, it's incredible." In two weeks, Nisbet's postseason home career will come to an end as well, as Michigan will host the Cen- tral Water Polo Association championship. If the Wolverines prevail in that championship, they will trav- el to the Eastern Championship. A win there would give them a bid to the Final Four. "It's been a crazy four years and its been a wonderful four years, but we've got a couple of championships to win before it's over," Nisbet said. "So it doesn't really feel like the end of anything yet."' Category: Latest brush with law Weber Iverson Edge Ticketed after turning left onto State Street from Huron while returning home Allegedly pulling gun on two men while searching for wife Iverson Category: Signature move Weber Iverson Edge Dry humping (see Feb. 13, 200 issue of Weekend Magazine) Crossover dribble Iverson Category: Best gift for mom . Weber Iverson Edge Bathrobe Red Jaguar Iverson Category: Self-proclaimed trendsetter of ... Weber Iverson Cornrows Edge The Claw Iverson See WEBER, Page 10 IU Biz World 101 Skills You Need to Get Your First Job It's Time to Get Down to Business. 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