Hawkeyes, Billikens in town for IU's final home-stand

The field hockey team will grace the turf at John Mellencamp Pavilion for the final time this season as they conclude their four game home-stand with weekend match-ups against the Iowa Hawkeyes and the St. Louis Billikens.\nThe Hoosiers are coming off a .500 weekend, in which they were shut-out by No. 2 Michigan 5-0. But they rallied back and showed signs of offensive life, out-shooting Div. III Lindenwood 32-2 and defeating them 3-0. \nThe Hoosiers now stand at 4-10 on the season, but coach Amy Robertson said she has been happy with her team's progress.\n"Looking at our record, I can't say this is where we thought we would be, but some things you can't control," Robertson said. "I would say as far as progress goes and how we have grown as a team in our third year, I was optimistic that this is where we would be."\nIU will look to continue its marked improvement this weekend, which kicks off with a game against No. 11 Iowa. The Hawkeyes are 8-5 and are ranked fourth in the Big Ten with a 1-2 conference record. Like many of the teams the Hoosiers have faced this year, Iowa brings a swarming offensive attack filled with experience. Junior forward Pattie Gillern is tied for third in the Big Ten for goals scored. \n"Iowa is another very good team which presents a challenge but also great opportunity for us to compete with a top-level team," Robertson said. "I think if we can match their intensity then I think we have a good chance to make some things happen."\nFreshman mid-fielder/back Morgan Albini has played in all 14 games for the Hoosiers thus far this season. She said the team is ready for Iowa's attack.\n"I think the key for our defense is unity," she said. "If we stay low, keep our sticks on the ground and play as a unit then we can stop (Iowa)."\nThe Hoosiers figure to match-up better with St. Louis, who they play Saturday. The Billikens have posted a 1-13 record and are mired in an 11-game losing streak, but are 2-0 all-time against the Hoosiers. SLU's leading scorer is freshman Carin Boone who has 10 points on five goals. \nSophomore forward Jamie Baldwin is ready for the weekend and said she thinks the team's offensive success will continue against Iowa and SLU.\n"We are really prepared for this weekend's games," she said. "I think we will be able to move the ball around really well, and that will create some good scoring opportunities for us."\nBaldwin said the team is especially eager to avenge their previous losses to both Iowa and St. Louis.\n"We lost to SLU in an overtime heartbreaker last year so everyone is ready for revenge," she said. "Iowa beat us last year too so we will be ready for both of them."\nThe Hoosiers look for their revenge starting at 3 p.m. Friday with their game against Iowa and play just 23 hours later at 2 p.m. against St. Louis.