Hoosiers prepared for high-scoring Hawkeyes, Huskers

Nebraska and Iowa have each demonstrated their ability to put the ball in the back of the net.

According to ncaa.com, the Hawkeyes rank seventh in the nation in scoring, tallying 3.44 goals per match. The Huskers sit tenth at 3.25 goals per match.

IU sophomore defender Lara Ross said the team does not consider those statistics.

“We look a lot at how many forwards they play with and their tendencies,” Ross said. “We don’t focus so much on certain players. We were aware of her tendencies and stuck one person on her to handle her. It allows us to play our style a lot more instead of having to conform to how they play.”

Indiana takes on Iowa Friday and Nebraska Sunday.

Last season, Nebraska defeated IU in Bloomington, 3-1. This year, Ross said the Huskers deserve more attention.

“It changes a little bit,” she said. “We have to respect them a little bit more knowing they are in the Big Ten now. It brings us to a different place in preparing for what they have to bring.”

IU Coach Mick Lyon said he’s looking forward to playing Nebraska for the first time as a conference foe.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve known John Walker’s team for many years. They’re a very good team. We’re going to have to play well to stop them.”

Lyon said after IU’s 6-1 win on Aug. 21 against Butler that the best form of defense is attacking.

Against Michigan on Sunday, the Hoosiers created 12 corner kick opportunities. They attempted four shots off those corners but weren’t able to score. Ross said that was addressed during an early week training session.

“This is something we talked a lot about,” Ross said. “We’re trying to use variety. It’s frustrating how we get so many and don’t get the result. We’ve been talking about having the attitude to be the person that says, ‘I’m going to win this corner. I’m going to score this.’”

Indiana leads the Big Ten in corner kicks attempted, with 7.67 per match.
After the loss against Michigan, Lyon knows how the team can maximize their opportunities offensively.

“(Becca) Zambon has to give that ball to Carly (Samp) and support her and be a second ball-winner,” Lyon said. “Same as Lara on the other side. They didn’t commit to get right up there with that player. At times they did; at times they didn’t. We’ve got to do it every single time.”