Following victories over both Miami (Ohio) and Central Michigan, IU opens conference play Friday against No. 9 Maryland at 3 p.m. at the Indiana Field Hockey Complex.
Last season, the Hoosiers lost on the road to the Terrapins, 4-1.
“Maryland is always a very fast team," senior forward Maddie Latino said. "We have been scouting their penalty corners, which they have been very successful on. To start out the Big Ten season with the reigning Big Ten regular season champs is a really good start to the Big Ten season.”
Maryland will be the fourth ranked opponent for the Hoosiers in their last six games. IU is 1-2 against ranked foes so far this season.
IU faced those three ranked opponents consecutively to begin the 2017 season. After losses to then-No. 9 Louisville and then-No. 3 Delaware, the Hoosiers beat then-No. 15 Wake Forest.
The win against the Demon Deacons started IU's current four-game win streak.
Following its first Big Ten Conference matchup against the Terrapins, IU will play Ball State, a team the Hoosiers saw in the preseason and beat 5-2. Junior forward Claire Woods scored two goals in that game.
The game against the Cardinals will be on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the IU Field Hockey Complex.
Coach Amanda Janney said she knows her team is performing at a high level this year and that her players are ready for the challenges this weekend.
“Hopefully, we are becoming more known as a high-powered attack," Janney said. "We are more dangerous, and it is good to see it pay off."
