Michigan To Host 2009 Wolverine Invitational on March 13-15

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan will have a busy weekend at Canham Natatorium as the Blue & Maize will square off with Mercyhurst College and Gannnon University in Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Western Division action on Friday, March 13, before hosting Villanova University, Iona College, Siena University, Marist College, Mercyhurst and Gannon in the 2009 Wolverine Invitational.

The weekend begins on Friday as Mercyhurst clashes with Villanova University in non-league action at 5:15 p.m. before the Wolverines and Gannon dive in for a 7:00 p.m. Western Division showdown.

The game will mark the division opener for the Knights as Gannon has not competed in CWPA action to date, while the host Wolverines will play their fifth league game after knocking off Grove City College (14-1 W), Washington & Jefferson College (20-2 W), Chatham College (19-2 W) and Penn State University-Behrend College (15-0 W) last weekend at hom in Canham.

Following the conclusion of the Michigan-Gannon meeting, Mercyhurst will look to knock off the Wolverines at 8:15 p.m. in the Lakers first appearance at Michigan since the 2008 Eastern Division Championship.

Both the Lakers and Wolverines qualified for the Eastern Championship last year at Canham, with Michigan taking the title. 

The game will have a significant impact on the division standings, as a win by Michigan keeps the Wolverines undefeated in the regular season title race with one game to play, a 7:00 p.m. meeting on March 28 at perennial rival, Indiana University.

Following the pair of league games on Friday, Michigan, Gannon and Mercyhurst will compete in the Wolverine Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14.

Overall, the pairings for the 2009 invite is radically different than 2008 as only the host Wolverines and Mercyhurst return from last year's field.

The games will mark the final home games of the year for Michigan, and the Wolverines will honor their senior players prior to Saturday's 7:15 p.m. game versus 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) champion and NCAA qualifier Marist College.

In addition, fans who attend the Marist game will receive free t-shirts and pizza (while supplies last), along with posters and schedule cards, as the University conducts a "Maize Out" against the Red Foxes.