IU finished the regular season with a 6-12 overall record and an 0-8 mark in Big Ten Conference play after a pair of losses this past weekend.
The Hoosiers lost to No. 24 Ohio State and No. 6 Penn State on the final weekend of conference play.
IU's loss to No. 24 Ohio State came on the road in Columbus, Ohio. The Hoosiers took an initial lead in the 12th minute via a goal by freshman forward Bente Buwalda. The goal was Buwalda's second goal of the season.
However, the Buckeyes scored two unanswered goals in the second half to claim the victory.
Ohio State outshot IU 23-2 overall in the game, and the Buckeyes had nine shots on goal compared to only two for IU.
The home side also had the edge in penalty corners 11-2 against IU.
The loss meant IU entered its final regular season match still looking for a conference win, but that win wouldn't come on Senior Day against Penn State.
Although IU posted 18 total shots and six shots on target, the Hoosiers were blown out 7-1 by the Nittany Lions.
The visitors posted 29 total shots and fired 19 shots on the goal of IU senior goalkeeper Katie Johnson.
IU sophomore forward Kelsey Giese netted IU's only goal in the 61st minute after Penn State scored the first seven goals of the game.
Johnson matched her all-time high in saves in this game with 12. She also had 12 saves during a home loss to Michigan on Oct. 13.
Seniors Cameron Gibson, Elle Hempt, Maddie Latino, Taylor Pearson and Abby Urbanek joined Johnson in being honored before their final home game as Hoosier field hockey players.
The loss meant IU finished Big Ten play in ninth place as the only school to not win a conference match.
As a result, IU will now play its opening Big Ten Tournament match at 3 p.m. this Friday at Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan, against Ohio State.
The winner of the meeting between the Buckeyes and Hoosiers will play top-seeded Michigan on Sunday.
Thomas Stenner
