IU travels to California for weekend games

California, here they come.

The players of the IU women’s soccer team will fly to the West Coast this weekend for matchups against UC Santa Barbara and Pepperdine, their first away matches of the season.

“I’m looking forward to this week in California,” IU Assistant Coach Megan Reinhardt said. “I think it’ll be very indicative of our character as a program.”

The team practiced only Tuesday and Thursday this week after one win and one loss last weekend. The women focused primarily on technicalities of the game, sophomore midfielder Jordan Woolums said.

They worked on defensive strategies and movement on the field, she said.

And following a lighter practice week, she said the team is ready for what’s ahead.

“We’re going to bring a lot of energy,” Woolums said. “We’re just excited, especially because it’s California.”

The Hoosiers will start the weekend against UC Santa Barbara at 10 p.m. Friday. Santa Barbara currently has a 0-3 record.

Last season, the Gauchos finished with 7-11-2 record but lost to each Big Ten team they faced.

“Mostly I’m really looking forward to playing a high level team,” junior midfielder Lisa Nouanesengsy said. “It’s definitely challenging, but we’re going to learn something and make the most of it.”

Pepperdine maintains a 3-0 record thus far in regular season play. Coming off a solid 15-2-4 record in the 2011 season, the Waves will be a tough opponent for IU.

“I think it’ll be really competitive, but it’ll help us get ready for the Big Ten,” Nouanesengsy said.

The prospect of playing away for the first time this season can be daunting, but the Hoosiers plan to remain calm and hopefully walk away from the weekend with two wins, she said .

“It can be hard, especially when the fan base is mostly the away team, and playing on different turf is a little harder,” she said. “But I think we’ll manage.”

Despite a different environment, the Hoosiers are prepared, Woolums said.

“I think we’re just ready for different competition and teams we haven’t seen before,” Woolums said. “We want to show them what Big Ten is all about.”