Team battles in losing effort

This weekend marked the first varsity field hockey game at IU in 18 years, and it did not disappoint the excited crowd. Fans endured the muggy atmosphere of the Mellencamp Pavilion in order to support this new varsity sport with banners and cheers.\nAlthough the field hockey team was shut out 2-0 in its season opener Saturday by Division II opponent Slippery Rock, IU exhibited constant hustle and the makings of a successful team.\nThe Hoosiers controlled the ball early with speed and swarming defense, but Slippery Rock's Emily Eich sneaked a goal past senior goalkeeper Alexandra Kaufman 7:31 into the game. Sophomore Molly Pulkrabek did not have any better luck in goal for IU in the second half. She was unable to prevent Brittany Butler from notching the second goal of the game off of a rebound just two and a half minutes into the second half.\nCoach Amy Robertson said she thought the defense in the box could improve, cutting down on breaks for the opposing team.\n"They didn't get their initial shots, but we didn't step up on their rebounds," Robertson said. "We need to learn to do that."\nIU pressured Slippery Rock's defense throughout the game, but still was only able to get three shots off. Junior Brooke Magers, sophomore Erica Nilsson and freshman Lauren Micka each tallied one shot.\n Robertson viewed this game as an overall success, even though it did not end in victory.\n "We followed the game plan, but we weren't sure if we had the confidence to step up and attack them," Robertson said. "This loss will turn out to be a good thing because we'll be able to see what we did wrong on video and learn from it."\nFreshman Abby Schwab said she shared Coach Robertson's positive attitude about the game.\n"I think after all the preparation we have done, regardless of the time we've been together, I think we were pretty ready," Schwab said. "Today was a great way for us to see how we utilize the drills we do in practice."\nAs a four-year veteran of the club field hockey team, senior Tania Hults said she easily recognizes a winning attitude within the team this year.\n"I think we're going to be very successful," Hults said. "I think the goals we set for ourselves as a team just keep growing everyday, and we'll just focus on one game at a time."\nIU will travel to Louisville, Ky., to challenge St. Louis University next Sunday, looking to come away with a victory after a week of hard work. Robertson is anxious to get back on the practice field to work out some more bugs.\n"We're going to work on being more organized and using our forwards more," Robertson said. "This was our first opportunity to play 11 versus 11 and it gives us a chance to learn so much from this game"