Betsey Armstrong, considered the best goalie in Michigan history, kicked off this weekend’s NCAA water polo tournament with a speech to all the players in participation. Her advice: “Embrace the college experience.”

BLOOMINGTON — It wasn’t supposed to end like this. As the Michigan water polo team formed up frantically while the final seconds of the fourth quarter hemorrhaged into oblivion, I experienced déjà vu. I felt like I was watching Super Bowl XLII when Tom Brady heaved his final Hail Mary to Randy Moss. If you’re […]

BLOOMINGTON — The streak is dead. Sunday was the Wolverines’ first loss since Valentine’s Day, 22 games ago, and their first loss to the Hoosiers since 2007.

• COMMENTARY: The one that got away

BLOOMINGTON — Minutes before the start of the Eastern semifinal game, Michigan coach Matt Anderson and Maryland coach Carl Salyer sat beside each other in metal folding chairs on the pool deck.

VIDEO: Alex Adamson reacts to win

In the Big Ten world of women’s tennis, the Mandate of Heaven is a two-pronged trophy made of glass, granite and oak.

The Michigan water polo team loves playing in California, and the reason has nothing to do with the sun.

When Michigan coach Matt Anderson spoke about sophomore Kiki Golden’s emerging role on offense last week, he said that she certainly had the potential to be a star. All she needed to do was figure out where in the pool she could score most effectively.

If Michael Phelps learned one thing this past weekend, it would be that nothing ⎯ not even sleeping in an altitude tent ⎯ can substitute for proper training.

• VIDEO: Michael Phelps talks about losing the 200 butterfly

• PHELPS Q&A: Ann Arbor, ‘hypoxic tents’, London, and beyond

Some goals win games. Some goals rewrite the record book. Some goals redeem struggling players. And some goals are cosmically preordained.