Nov. 29, 2007

NCAA Tourament Notes | Tournament Central

MIDS BATTLE SECOND-RANKED CAL IN NCAA TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS
The Navy Water Polo team begins its quest for its first national championship on Saturday afternoon with a national semifinals matchup against second-ranked California, beginning at approximately 4:45 pm (EST) in Palo Alto, Calif. The third-seeded Mids enter the tournament with a 29-5 record, while California owns a 26-4 record. The other semifinal pits top-seeded and top-ranked USC (18-2) against fourth-seeded and No. 10-ranked Loyola Marymount (13-15), at 3:00 pm (EST).

NAVY LOOKS TO REVERSE LUCK IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
The ninth-ranked Midshipmen are looking to become the first Eastern team to win an NCAA Tournament game since 2002 when Queens defeated UC San Diego, 6-5, in the third-place game. Since the field was reduced to four teams in 1995, no Eastern team has won a semifinal game, and no Eastern team has ever appeared in the national championship game. Navy enters tournament play with a 5-28 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament and is making its 13th appearance in the tournament, the sixth most appearances all-time. California and USC have combined for 15 of the 38 NCAA Water Polo National Championships.

MIDS MAKING RETURN TRIP
Navy earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after winning its eighth Eastern Championship two weeks ago. The Midshipmen are making their second straight appearance in the tournament for the first time since the 1993 and 1994 teams advanced to the NCAA Tournaments.

Navy is hoping for better luck this time around in its second consecutive bid. Last year saw the Mids get overwhelmed by the top-ranked USC attack, 20-3, in the semifinals, before falling to UC San Diego, 12-8, in the third-place game. With nearly everyone back from that experience a year ago, Navy hopes to be more competitive this time around.

HAVE WE MET BEFORE?
Navy will face some familiar foes during this weekend's NCAA Tournament. The Mids lost to second-ranked California, 12-7, during the season-opening Labor Day Open on Sept. 2, in Annapolis. During that contest, Bram Arnold and Mike Mulvey scored two goals each, while George Naughton recorded eight saves in goal. California leads the all-time series, 13-0, winning by an average margin of 9.0 goals per game.

Meanwhile, Navy is 2-3 all-time against Loyola Marymount and 0-10 against USC.

MIDS FIND EAST COAST SUCCESS
Navy won its 11th CWPA Southern Division Championship and its eighth CWPA Eastern Championship earlier this year, but that should come as no surprise. Navy went 25-1 against teams from the East Coast this year, and combined with last year's 19-1 record, Navy is 44-2 against East Coast teams since the start of last year, with the lone losses coming to St. Francis (N.Y.). However, Navy is just 10-10 against California teams in the same span.

MIDS ON A HISTORIC RUN
Navy enters this weekend's NCAA Tournament as probably the hottest team in the nation. Navy is currently entertaining a 19-game winning streak, which is tied for the longest in school history. During the 19 games, Navy has outscored its foes, 209-119 (11.0 - 6.3 gpg).

THIS YEAR'S TEAM SETTING THE STANDARD
Besides tying the school record for most wins in a row, this year's squad has set the school record for wins (29) and will tie the school record for most games played (36 - also set in 1986 and 2000). The 29 wins surpass the previous record of 28, set in 1986.

HONORS FLOOD IN FOR SEVERAL PLAYERS
The CWPA All-South teams were announced two weeks ago, and four players were recognized on the two teams. Seniors Aaron Recko and George Naughton and junior Mike Mulvey were selected to the first team, while senior Tyler Hill was recognized as a second-team selection. Mulvey was voted as the Player of the Year. The CWPA All-East teams were then released on Sunday afternoon with Mulvey and Recko earning first-team recognition and Hill and Naughton being named to the second team. Recko was the Eastern Tournament MVP for the second straight season and head coach Mike Schofield was named Coach of the Year.

NAVY IN THE NATIONAL POLL
Navy has spent the entire season ranked in the nation's top 12, peaking at No. 9 for the last three weeks. Navy finished last year ranked 12 in the country.

NAVY'S SENIOR CLASS DEFINES SUCCESS
Navy's senior class has been the strength, not only during this year's record-breaking campaign, but for the last four years. Over the last four years, the Mids have produced a 94-31 record (.752), including two Eastern titles, two NCAA Tournament appearances and three Southern Division titles. The 94 wins are the third most for a senior class in school history, behind the Class of 1987 (99) and the Class of 1989 (96). However, the Class of 1987 won just one Eastern title. The Class of 1989 was part of three Eastern Championships.

HILL, SHIPLEY FACE BUSY WEEKEND
Navy senior Tyler Hill and freshman Ryan Shipley will face busy weekends as the Mids look to win their first national championship. Hill and Shipley will compete in the Army-Navy swim meet on Thursday in Annapolis, before catching an early flight out west in time for practice on Friday. Hill has been a three-year starter for head coach Mike Schofield, while Shipley will not see any action this weekend. Navy has beaten Army 16 straight times in swimming & diving.

Hill has had the same success swimming within the ropes that he has had without the ropes. He is a three-time first-team All-Patriot League honoree and won the 2006 Butterfly at the league championships. He also owns the fifth best 100-meter butterfly time in school history at 49.42. Lastly, in 2006, he broke his own school record in winning the 200-meter butterfly in 1:50.04 at the Patriot League championships.

# GO NAVY #