IU executed a successful home stand this weekend by grabbing two wins and improving its record to 4-2 on the season.
The first win came Friday afternoon against Central Michigan. The Hoosiers rallied for a 4-1 victory despite a slow start in which IU allowed the first goal.
Four different Hoosiers scored in the win, demonstrating the depth of their attack. Senior defender Elle Hempt, senior forward Maddie Latino, sophomore midfielder Ciara Girouard and sophomore forward Kelsey Giese all made appearances on the score sheet.
“It was a great team win for us," Coach Amanda Janney said. "It was nice to get positive contributions from so many different players, we have a really dangerous scoring unit."
The second game of the home stand came Sunday against Miami (Ohio), a game in which the Hoosiers came up with a 3-2 win in overtime. Latino scored a hat trick in the win for IU.
The first half was dominated by Miami, but IU was able to score a goal with one minute left in the first half to tie the match 1-1.
The goal shifted momentum in the game.
IU came out in the second half like a brand-new team, as it went from being outplayed to competing for every ball.
The play of junior midfielder Taylor Swope was impressive, as she was able to set up attacks throughout the second half.
Yet the star of the game for IU was Latino, who scored four minutes into overtime from a penalty corner to win the game.
"I want to have a really good senior year and the best year our program has had," Latino said. "Luckily, we are making the right strides right now. It was a great team win, we play until that whistle blows."
IU’s next game will be its first against a Big Ten opponent when Maryland will come to the IU Field Hockey Complex at 3 p.m. Friday.
