Hoosiers prepare for Ball State, SW Mizzou

An in-state foe and an out-of-state opponent await the Hoosiers this weekend when the IU women's field hockey team faces off with Ball State Friday and Southwest Missouri State Sunday. IU goes into the game with a 1-1 record after dropping a 3-1 game to Berkeley and earning a close 2-1 victory against Stanford, with both games in California. On the other hand, the Cardinals come into the game with a 0-2 record, losing to both Northeastern 2-1, and William & Mary, 2-1.\nIU and BSU tied 3-3 in a preseason scrimmage Aug. 22.\nIU coach Amy Robertson, in her fifth season at the helm, has her most experienced Hoosier squad to date. Despite the absence of All-Big Ten contributor Kayla Bashore, who is sitting out this season to prepare for her MCATs, IU boasts a team full of depth and young talent. IU only lost two players from last season in goaltender Molly Pulkrabek and forward Erica Nilsson. \nOn the other side of the ball, Ball State's Lindsay Quay is shaping up to become IU's most formidable opponent in the match. On her way to being named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, Quay led the Cardinals with six goals and three assists in 2003. Second-year Ball State coach Annette Payne has 10 letter-winners returning this year. Last season, the team finished 8-12 and fourth in the MAC but looks to change all of that against the Hoosiers, despite a slow start in 2004. \nAs for the coaching, Hoosier assistant coach Gina Lucido was formally a field hockey player for the Cardinals. She led Ball State in back-to-back MAC titles during her playing days from 1991 to 1994. While leading the Cardinals to appearances in the NCAA quarterfinals twice, Lucido became a two-time Regional All-American as well as a three-time All-Mid-American Conference academic selection. \nBehind the offensive sparks of Rachel Telian, Morgan Miller and Kate O'Connell, all three players who scored their first career goals this season, the Hoosiers look to repeat their 2003 performance against Ball State, when they shut out the Cardinals 2-0. \nIU defeated Southwest Missouri State 4-0 last season.