Women's soccer opens Big Ten play

For IU women’s soccer coach Mick Lyon, it’s about attention to detail.

“Rehydrate yourself. Make sure you drink a lot of water,” he told the team after Thursday’s practice.

As he walked off Jerry Yeagley Field, he was glancing through and checking if there was still anything yet to be addressed before the field turns into a Big Ten battlefield at 7:30 p.m. Friday when the team plays Northwestern.

Lyon’s attention to detail at practice did not come without reason, as the Hoosiers (4-4-1) begin Big Ten play Friday. Awaiting the Hoosiers is a 10-game conference schedule in the next 46 days.

After Northwestern, IU will play Wisconsin at home at 1 p.m. Sunday  before they hit the road next week.

The Hoosiers ended a four-game losing streak by defeating Central Michigan 2-1 last Sunday.

Lyon said as conference plays approach, the Hoosiers need to have a higher level of concentration on the field. He said he was satisfied with what the practice had shown.
Lyon said playing conference games also demands a different strategy.

“One thing we are really going to push this weekend is that we really want to possess the ball,” Lyon said. “The longer we possess the ball and the better we can connect our passes, the better chances we can get to score.”

On offense, IU is scoring two goals per game on average while allowing 1.78 goals on average.

Junior defender Kerri Krawczak also expressed her perspective on the Hoosiers’ backline.

“I think we are definitely doing better on defense,” Krawczak said, “We fight together as a unit every game. We just need to focus on the communication and make sure to keep the intensity level up on the field. We don’t want to lose at home.”