It’s been a climb for Indiana field hockey’s graduating class of 2025. Since a 0-8 record in the Big Ten in 2023, the Hoosiers have improved over the past two seasons. Indiana finished last year 4-4 in conference and entered Sunday’s game 3-3 in the Big Ten. That improvement culminated in the group’s senior day celebration, as Indiana cruised past Michigan State 6-1.
“They stuck it out for years through what was some pretty hard years,” Indiana head coach Kayla Bashore said postgame. “They have done a lot for the program, and one of the things we say is ‘leave the jersey in a better place,’ and they’ve absolutely done that.”
The Hoosiers had never won consecutive games against the Spartans in program history. The victory also meant that the 20th-ranked Hoosiers improved their win streak to four games and clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament Nov. 6-9 at Deborah Tobias Field in Bloomington.
While none of the celebrated seniors got on the scoreboard, five Indiana players scored goals during the contest. Freshman forward Molly Stutte produced two goals on her three shot attempts. Her seven goals scored this season tie her for second most goals on the team with junior midfielder Inés Garcia Prado and sophomore forward Charlotte Glasper. Freshman forward Celia Arroyo Cabezudo leads the way with eight.
“How our team operates is, you’re on this team, you're contributing some way,” Bashore said. “I think that’s something our freshman group has done well. It’s been nice to see that they’ve been taking it in stride.”
The offense clicked for Indiana most of the afternoon. The Hoosiers had 26 shots and 13 shots on goal, while Michigan State only had one shot attempt. Indiana also drew nine penalty corners, compared to one for the Spartans.
Both teams had slower starts offensively throughout the first quarter. The Hoosiers had chances on goal to begin and end the frame, as Indiana drew a penalty corner in the third minute, but Garcia Prado’s shot went wide.
With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, Arroyo Cabezudo got behind the Michigan State defense. Her shot barely missed wide right after the ball rolled past sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Herbert in front of the goal.
However, both teams woke up in the second quarter with six total goals. Indiana got on the scoreboard first after a goal by Stutte in the 16th minute. Stutte deflected the ball into the goal after junior midfielder Javi Baeza found an opening on the right side and made a pass in front of the goal.
The 1-0 lead for Indiana lasted just over a minute. Michigan State received a penalty corner in the 17th minute, and sophomore back Caro Schafer tied the game off an assist by junior forward Bianca Pizano.
The quick response from the Spartans didn’t faze the Hoosiers. Indiana drew a penalty corner in the 18th minute. Herbert saved Garcia Prado’s shot, but the ball rolled out in front of junior forward Theresa Ricci, who was able to slide the ball into the goal.
With the lead on their side, Indiana started more aggressively attacking the Michigan State defense. The Hoosiers drew two penalty corners before their next goal. Sophomore forward Mijntje Hagen’s shot went wide on the first corner, and Stutte’s shot was blocked on the second. Stutte was able to redeem herself in the 26th minute with a goal assisted by Arroyo Cabezudo.
“That’s what makes winning so special,” Stutte said. “We’re doing it for each other.”
After three shot attempts without a score, Indiana got another penalty corner in the 29th minute. Hagen inserted the corner, and Baeza set up Garcia Prado to give the Hoosiers a 4-1 lead.
Indiana wasn’t done scoring a minute before halftime. A takeaway by Garcia Prado set Glasper up on the transition, and her shot went over the stick of Herbet and into the back of the goal to extend the Hoosiers’ advantage.
“We feel like we’re really flowing right now,” Bashore said. “People are hitting their strides, and we’re sort of peaking at the right time. We’re feeling pretty confident and just taking care of those details.”
The five-goal first half prompted Michigan State to replace Herbert with junior goalkeeper Lyra Gavino. She was tested in the third quarter but was able to make a save on all three shots on goal from Indiana.
The Cream and Crimson opened the fourth quarter with a penalty corner in the 48th minute. Garcia Prado’s shot went wide of the goal, and Michigan State regained possession.
However, Arroyo Cabezudo collected a takeaway and drew a penalty stroke. Her shot to the left inside the goal beat Gavino and gave Indiana a 6-1 lead in the 49th minute. The Hoosiers finished the fourth quarter with six shots and three penalty corners, but none of their other chances resulted in a score.
Indiana will close the regular season against No. 13 Michigan at 5 p.m. Friday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The game will be streamed on Big Ten+.
“The Big Ten is unpredictable, and everyone’s really strong,” senior back Emma Thompson said. “I think just going into this game being really confident in our own ability and the way that we play field hockey.”
Follow reporter Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana field hockey season.
