IU beats Miami, falls to Louisville in exhibitions

The IU field hockey team began its season during the weekend with two scrimmage matches.

First, the Hoosiers traveled to Louisville on Friday. The team fell short, losing 3-0 to the Cardinals.

Though the end result was a loss, the players said they viewed the setback optimistically and used it as a learning experience for their scrimmage against Miami (Ohio) on Sunday in Bloomington.

IU won the match 4-2.

“Louisville was a learning experience,” sophomore midfielder Gaby Olshemski said. “We fixed our press, and it definitely helped our attack.”

The Louisville match was the first competition of the year and the first time this group has played together.

Five freshmen experienced their first taste of collegiate playing time.

Sophomore midfielder Audra Heilman said she noted a difference in demeanor for the younger players in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“Louisville was our first time playing together, and we learned from it,” she said. “The younger players had more confidence today.”

The Hoosiers started the game against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks very strong behind two unassisted goals from junior midfielder Emily Bowker and Olshemski.

Sophomore forward Nicole Volgraf found freshman forward Rachel Stauffer for another goal.

The Hoosiers went into the half leading 3-0.

The RedHawks showed signs of life during an additional overtime period after a goal by Valentina Rodriquez, bringing the score to 3-1.

IU’s junior forward Mariella Grote retaliated with a goal 14 seconds later, giving the Hoosiers a 4-1 lead.

Alyssa Logan of Miami scored the final goal of the game, ending with a 4-2 final score.

IU Coach Amy Robertson said she was impressed by her team’s performance and improvement during the weekend.

“We haven’t had any rest and are already battling fatigue,” she said. “I’m really impressed at the way we fought.”

Robertson said her team has made improvements in their pace of play at the beginning of games, and she credits practice as the key to fixing this issue.

“I told them that you have to continue to practice how you want to play,” she said. “Both games we started strong, and last year it took 10 to 15 minutes to get started, and practice has helped that.”

Players said they now recognize how critical practice is as the official start to the season draws near.

“Since the team is very young, we have to do all the little things right and take the good practices and bring them to the game,” Heilman said.

The team begins regular season play at noon Aug. 24 as they travel to Kent State to face the Golden Flashes.