Field hockey looks to repeat preseason win

In the Hoosiers’ four games thus far, opponents have played varied styles.  IU coach Amy Robertson said that has helped to point out some flaws.

“We’ve played three or four very different teams in the four games that we’ve started with, and it’s helped us learn how to play against different teams and the way we play against certain styles,” Robertson said. “We’ve really worked on some details of our game, and getting better in areas that teams were taking advantage of, with a lot of pride and focus.”

When the Hoosiers take on Miami (OH) in Oxford, Ohio on Friday, perhaps there will be a small amount of familiarity.

The Hoosiers defeated the RedHawks 6-4 in their first preseason contest Aug. 18 in Bloomington. Things, though, have changed since then, said senior forward Lena Grote.

“We beat them in preseason. It was a different team,” Grote said. “We’ve clicked as a team. Going to Ohio to defeat them will be fun.”

The Hoosiers face Missouri State on Sunday.

The Hoosiers are giving every opponent their utmost respect and attention, Grote said.
“We have two games. We want two victories.”

Robertson wants to see her team apply some things they’ve seen watching film and continue to do what makes them successful.

“Part of it has been being more confident in our outletting because we’re creating things off our structure and not necessarily taking advantage of it,” Robertson said. “We watched video today, and it’s sort of an epiphany of ‘Oh, wow, that really is available!’

Our attack is getting stronger and stronger. We were really unfortunate to only come away with only one goal in the Ohio game. We had a lot of corners. We were just unlucky that day. We’re focusing on making sure we’re able to finish and getting more shots.”
— Micah McVicker