Hoosiers earn split, keep tourney hope alive

The Hoosiers are still in the hunt for a spot in the Big Ten tournament after splitting their games this weekend against No. 20 Illinois and Northwestern. The Hoosiers lost to Illinois 2-1 Friday night in a hard-fought battle, but they were able to shut out Northwestern 3-0 Sunday afternoon.\nAgainst Illinois, the team put a lot of pressure on the Illini early in the game, keeping the ball deep in the Illini zone. The Hoosiers had many good opportunities to score, but weren't able to put one in the net. With 14 minutes remaining, Illini forward Tara Hurless booted a shot from way out that found its way over the hands of senior goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty. Freshman forward Megan Pipkens tied the game on a shot she lofted over the goalie's head with less than a minute remaining in the first half. In the second half, when it looked like the teams would tie, Hurless struck again with less than three minutes remaining, giving the Illini a 2-1 victory. IU coach Mick Lyon said the team lost its intensity in the game.\n"[The Illini] really stepped up their game," Lyon said. "We're not that deep in personnel, so there's not much we can change. The game was won and lost at midfield. They dominated in the second half."\nAgainst Northwestern, the Hoosiers were able to control the midfield a lot more easily. Northwestern came out early with a lot of intensity that was quickly stopped by the Hoosiers' midfield and defense. With 17 minutes remaining in the first half, junior midfielder Kim Grodek headed in a ball from a free kick. Only seven minutes later, Grodek would score again, this time on her own free kick from 25 yards out to go up 2-0. Senior defender Carly Everett said the team's defense worked hard to stop Northwestern.\n"I think we did a good job of covering each other today. I think we were well prepared," Everett said. "We knew we had to win this game in order to advance to the Big Ten tournament. I think we did a good job of playing with our hearts."\nIn the second half, neither team was able to get much going. In the 64th minute, Pipkens scored after the Northwestern goalkeeper misjudged the ball. Grodek said the Hoosiers didn't have trouble with Northwestern despite not playing their best game.\n"We beat them a little over the top today," Grodek said. "It wasn't the cleanest game, but we were able to behind them."\nThe Hoosiers take on rival Purdue at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\n-- Contact staff writer Cory Steger at csteger@indiana.edu.