Team kicks into gear Aug. 28, 30

After a 2-0 season opening win against Wright State, IU is set to play Evansville and Central Michigan at home.

IU will bring the two non-conference teams into Bill Armstrong Stadium for games at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Hoosiers hope that a more experienced and senior-led team will translate into improved play.

“That experience of having three years behind you, and knowing that this is their last year in college, we really missed that in 2008,” IU women’s soccer coach Mick Lyon said. “I think it definitely made a difference for us in those close games.”

In 2008, the Hoosiers lost seven games by one goal, including five straight 1-0 losses.

An IU team that missed postseason play last year will first face Evansville, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 but is also without the Missouri Valley Conference player of the year, Kayla Lambert. Evansville is 1-0 after a season opening win against Southeast Missouri St.  

The Hoosiers will then play Central Michigan, who is coming off a strong year and returns eight of 11 starters from last year. It got the season under way in a 4-0 route over IPFW.

IU will look to extend its shutout streak to five games and will be led by two-time First Team All-Big Ten senior defender Kelly Lawrence. Their unblemished mark extends to the 2008 season. IU’s last victory in its previous campaign came against Michigan in a 1-0 Oct. 26 season finale.