Meet the IU 'Ex' factor

IU field hockey goalkeeper Haley Exner's numbers speak for themselves. \nShe's recorded 88 saves this season, leads Big Ten goalies with a 1.60 goals against average, boasts a .823 save percentage and has won a handful of awards, including three Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week awards -- a Hoosier record. But the most important record the San Diego native has set this season is the 13 wins she's notched in her first year as a starter for the No. 8 Hoosiers. \nThe Hoosiers are enjoying their most successful season in the program's six-year history. They currently own a 13-2 record, have been ranked as high as No. 7 in the national rankings and have a chance at winning their first Big Ten regular season title. Coach Amy Robertson attributes much of the success to Exner. \n"Haley is having a dream season," Roberston said. "In addition to being a great athlete, she has a great attitude. I couldn't ask for anything more from Haley."\nExner, in just her second season as a Hoosier and first as a starter, replaced fifth-year senior Katie Kanara in goal, a loss of experience that troubled Robertson as the 2005 season approached. \n"We knew we had a good team, but we lost such an experienced goalie in Katie," Robertson said. "That position had really become sort of a question mark. We weren't sure how Haley was going to respond to the pressure."\nTo say Exner responded well to the pressure would be an understatement. Of the Hoosiers' 14 games, Exner has posted a shutout four times and has allowed only one goal five times. In addition to the three Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week awards, she was also named www.womensfieldhockey.com's player of the week when she recorded a career-high 16 saves in a 2-1 double overtime win at No. 9 Ohio State. \nWith each successive win and every award earned, Exner said she only gains more confidence in her goalkeeping abilities. \n"The first time I won an award, I was floored," Exner said. "I called my mom right away and told her to check it out online. But now the awards just give me more confidence in what I'm doing out there."\nIU goalkeepers coach Jen Myers said Exner's success this season is a direct result of her positive attitude.\n"She is without a doubt the most coachable player I've ever worked with," Myers said. "She takes feedback so well, and that's helped me improve her footwork and quickness to the ball -- not to mention she's a great athlete as well. She has by far exceeded everyone's expectations of her for this season."\nRobertson said she believes Exner's attitude is not only a key to her success, but it allows her teammates, particularly the defensive backs, to have confidence and trust in her.\n"Just her presence on the field is important," Robertson said. "The team really trusts her, and she in turn trusts them. The team really feels connected to her because she's the ultimate team player." \nExner agreed with her coach's sentiments.\n"My teammates are so important to any success I have," Exner said. "Without their strong play and ability to clear the ball so quickly after a save, we wouldn't be playing nearly as well as we have been this season."\nExner and the Hoosiers are currently 4-1 in the Big Ten conference, good enough for second place behind undefeated Penn State. With Exner just one win shy of becoming IU's all-time leader in victories, she said she knows their would be no better time to earn that win than Friday, when the Hoosiers welcome the Nittany Lions in a matchup that will determine the Big Ten's regular season champion.\n"I'm not too concerned about records," Exner said. "We just go out there and try to win every single game and fulfill our goals of winning the Big Ten and going to the NCAA tournament -- the awards and honors are just icing on the cake"