IU sweeps weekend, improves to 6-1

The IU women's field hockey team took two more steps toward its goal of an NCAA Tournament birth and a Big Ten championship with two home wins during the weekend. The victories over Ohio University and Southwest Missouri State University improved the Hoosiers' record to 6-1 overall. \nJunior forward Lydia Schrott, who leads the Big Ten in goals, scored two for the Hoosiers in their 4-1 victory Saturday over Ohio. \nDespite the score, the 1-5 Bobcats were a tough match up for the Hoosiers, who managed only one goal in the first half before pulling away in the second half.\n"It was a little tougher win than we would have liked," Schrott said. "But we were able to execute well and pull out a good win." \nSchrott recorded her first goal in the 23rd minute of the first half and her second seven minutes into the second half to give the Hoosiers a 2-0 advantage. Senior Nikki Orciuch and junior Morgan Miller also added goals for the Hoosiers in the second half.\nOn Sunday, the Hoosiers used solid defensive play and a plethora of shots in order to earn their victory over Missouri State. IU took a 1-0 lead into half time, after a goal by sophomore forward Kate O'Connell in the 14th minute. Two second half goals were added by seniors Mallory Reabold and Lesley Wiler in the 36th and 58th minutes, respectively, to secure the Hoosier victory. \nIU attempted a season high 39 shots in the 3-0 shutout, a stat that Wiler said is indicative of the Hoosiers' ability to control the flow of the game.\n"We did really well maintaining possession of the ball, getting off a lot of shots, and not letting a lot of balls get through," Wiler said. \nWith the pair of wins, the Hoosiers are now 3-0 at home. IU head coach Amy Robertson said she believes it was necessary for the Hoosiers to win both games this weekend as they prepare for Big Ten play, which begins next weekend when IU ends its five game home stand against Michigan State and Lindenwood University.\n"It was a good weekend, two victories at home makes us 6-1 now, and we're taking care of the teams we need to take care of," Robertson said. "We're ready for Michigan State"