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(11/07/02 5:01am)
Before the season began, the IU women's soccer team decided that their most important goal was to make the post-season tournments. Not one player on the current squad had ever appeared in the Big Ten tournament, and the team was set on changing that. \nThe Hoosiers are going to the post-season for the first time since 1998, and waiting for them is first round opponent, rival Purdue. The Boilermakers enter as the third seed, with a 12-4-2 (6-3-1, Big Ten) record, while IU, the sixth seed, owns a 10-6-2 (4-4-2, Big Ten) record.\nThe two teams will battle this afternoon in East Lansing, Mich.\nThe Hoosiers said battling Purdue in the opening game is a good opponent for them.\nSenior forward Kristen Sprunger said playing a school rival helps motivate the team.\n"Playing Purdue is something for all of us to get excited about," Sprunger said. "We feel we should have beat them last time, and now we get another chance."\nThe Hoosiers and Boilermakers played a grueling game Oct. 25 in West Lafayette. Purdue won that game 1-0, when sophomore forward Lauren Sesselmann scored the game's lone goal, with just under three minutes left in the game. IU dominated most of the game's tempo that day, but suffered a crushing defeat. The Hoosiers now have revenge on their minds, and said they match up well with the Boilermakers.\nJunior goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty said the team was really excited when they found out they were playing Purdue, and thinks IU can knock off their nemesis.\n"The stakes are much higher this time," Daugherty said. "We played them recently, and they are fresh in our minds. It was painful last time, and we are happy for a second shot."\nIU has not been to the Big Ten tournament in four years, and all of the upper-classmen were suffering for several years to get to the post-season this year.\nFreshmen forwards Robin Barker and Kristen Zmijewski were not expected to contribute much this year, but were two of the team's most valuable players. Although they have never played in a game this big on the collegiate level, they said they are ready for today's showdown.\n"This is extremely exciting," Zmijewski said. "Making it this year rewards all of the hard work we did, and gives us a goal for next year."\nBarker said she is also ready for the challenges the Boilermakers will provide, and said practice this week has been more grueling than during the regular season.\n"Practice has been harder. We have been working on the little things to make sure we play well against Purdue," Barker said. "Last time, the game could have gone either way, but we believe that we can beat them in the tournament."\nDaugherty said the Hoosiers need to capitalize on their chances, and finish opportunities to be successful against Purdue. She said the team has had many chances this season, but often can't register their shots into goals.\n"We need to put the ball into the back of the net against Purdue," Daugherty said. "We are playing really well right now; we just need to finish our chances."\nThe winner of the IU-Purdue game will battle the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game, which kicks-off immediately after the two Indiana schools. The tournament is single elimination, so IU needs a win to keep their season intact. A victory over No. 17 Purdue can help land an NCAA bid if the Hoosiers fail to win an automatic bid by winning the Big Ten Championships.\nSprunger said this could be the last game of her soccer career at IU, which she hopes to avoid. "I want to prolong my career here for as long as I possibly can," Sprunger said. "I cherish each game that we have to play, and hope that this is not my last time out there"
(10/31/02 6:49am)
The women's soccer team recognized its six seniors at Armstrong Stadium last night with the 10th annual Senior Night. After the pre-game festivities, IU went out and battled its in-state rival, the Butler Bulldogs. Butler, from the Horizon Conference, came to Bloomington with a 12-4 record, and looked to spoil Senior Night. \nA pair of seniors wouldn't allow that.\nAfter dominating Butler in most statistical categories for 85 minutes and spoiling numerous chances, IU (10-6-2, 4-4-2 Big Ten) finally scored a goal for a 1-0 win. It was scored by senior forward Jenny Mann, who was assisted by fellow senior forward Kate Kastl. The win improved IU to 4-5-1 all time against the Bulldogs. The goal gave the Hoosiers a win in their final regular season game before the Big Ten tournament, which begins in East Lansing, Mich. next Thursday.\nThe score came on a broken play as Kastl sent the ball to Mann, who bicycle kicked it from eight yards out, beating sophomore goalkeeper Katie Sanders.\n"It was amazing; I couldn't imagine going out any other way," Mann said about scoring the game's only tally. "Senior year has been a lot of fun."\nIU had numerous chances to score, peppering Sanders with 17 shots and earning five corner kicks. Butler could only muster five shots and one corner kick on a stingy IU defense. The Hoosiers squandered many opportunities, most notably when junior forward Shelly Gruszka missed an open net in the 67th minute. None of that mattered though, as IU earned its 10th win of the year with the dramatic late goal. \nIt's the first time the team has reached double-digit wins in a season since 1998.\n"It was a very exciting way for Jenny and I to end our soccer careers," Kastl said. "We can now look back at that goal, and also look back at the win."\nThe Hoosiers caught a break when senior midfielder Lisa Tecklenburg appeared to commit a handball infraction inside the goal crease just two minutes after the goal. Fortunately, the referees signaled a foul on Butler just a split second before the incident. After that, IU was able to keep the ball away from Butler and run the clock out.\nCoach Mick Lyon was happy about how his seniors, and the entire team, performed in their last game before the post-season.\n"It's extremely rewarding for the coaches, the program, and mostly the seniors players for how they played," Lyon said. "They did everything that was asked of them with enthusiasm, and embraced each challenge we gave to them."\nMann said the game was one the Hoosiers might not have capitalized on last year, but they showed toughness and found a way to win.\n"This is a game that last year might have gone to overtime for us, but this year we were able to win it," Mann said. "We played well together and earned it."\nThe Hoosiers now being to prepare for the Big Ten tournament, and the win has them focused and hungry for conference competition.\n"Tonight was very important for us because it ended one chapter, and now we start another one," Kastl said. "We are going into the post-season on a positive note." \nLyon is happy to have the team back in the post-season after a four-year absence. It has been a successful first year for the Hoosiers' coach.\n"I'm disappointed we didn't have 14 wins the way we played," Lyon said. "However, I am ecstatic for what we have accomplished, and I am ready to accomplish even more this year."\nLyon started all his seniors, who also include forward Kristen Sprunger, and midfielders Kara Bryan and Dana Philp. Each contributed in their last home game. Fortunately, there is still some season left, and this group of seniors hope it lasts for a while in post-season play.\n"This is a group that certainly still wants more," Lyon said.
(10/24/02 5:55am)
There are two philosophies to coaching. A coaching staff can be stern disciplinarians, barking instructions from the sideline. Or, they can be laid back and teach through hands-on examples, a laid-back attitude and humor. Credit coach Mick Lyon and his staff with the latter.\nThe women's soccer staff said they realize the season is a long, often arduous one. For the sake of keeping the team fresh in practice -- which leads to better performances in games -- the coaches usually are seen joking with players, and even donning uniforms and running drills and scrimmages with them. This approach seems to be working, as IU is currently 8-5-2 (4-3-2, Big Ten) and in 5th place in the conference, and have qualified to play in the Big Ten tournament.\nSophomore midfielder Kim Grodek said seeing the team's three coaches, Lyon, and assistants Ian Rickerby and Sara Kloosterman, running around in practice is humorous, and allows the team to relax while preparing in the middle of the week for a game.\n"The coaches make it fun when they are out there with us," Grodek said. "We work harder when they are pushing us on the field."\nLyon said he and the staff do not always participate in drills, and sometimes it is only out of sheer necessity. \n"With a couple of the girls hurt, and a small squad some days, we just run out there so we can play 11 on 11," Lyon said. \nUsually the presence of the coaches participating on the field is essential in preparing for an opponent. The staff is able to show the Hoosiers in practice exactly what they should expect once they play the actual games. This technique has allowed IU to become better prepared for the rigorous Big Ten schedule, and the different style each opponent has.\n"We as coaches know how the opposition plays," Lyon said. "We have scouted the other teams, so we try to go out there and simulate how the opposition will play against us."\nRickerby has coached with Lyon in the past. The team often finds the two of them barking to each other as they pass back and forth in the simulated game. Sometimes, the team marks up with one of the coaches and plays their mentors as tough as possible.\n"When things are going right, this is a good approach," Rickerby said. "We hope that some of the things that we do out there will rub off on them."\nLyon said he also likes to use his time out on the field to help work on a weakness one of his players might have. He likes to force his players to work on their mistakes, and hope to have problems fixed before the team competes.\n"We will go out there and pick a player, and force them to fix a problem they might have had in a previous game or practice, and teach them to make quick decisions," Lyon said.\nIt can be intimidating having to scrimmage with a coach, but Grodek said she and her teammates are un-phased by playing against the coaches. It is usually a time for them to go out and relax, while strengthening their skills.\n"We go out there and play with them as we would play anybody else," Grodek said. "They go easy on us anyhow, and make sure they do not hurt us or play us too hard."\nWhile most teams in this part of the season normally get flat with the redundancies of practice, the Hoosiers still have a bounce in their step and a good attitude during practice.\n"It is a long season," Rickerby said. "We keep them loose and enthusiastic. If the coach doesn't have enthusiasm, it can wear off on the team."\nThe coaches all have extensive playing backgrounds and are in good shape. \n"We like to show the team then we are real people who can play," Lyon said. "And not just people yelling at them from the sideline"
(10/21/02 5:12am)
The IU women's soccer team went to Iowa and Illinois this weekend looking for two wins and to solidify their place in the Big Ten tournament. They can look at the weekend as the "glass being half full."\nThe Hoosiers, who defeated Iowa 3-1 Friday night and lost 2-1 to Illinois yesterday, currently are 8-5-2 (4-3-2) and in fifth place in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers split this weekend, but with their win Friday, they qualified for a spot in the Big Ten post-season tournament, which has been one of the team's main goals this season. This will be IU's first trip to the Big Ten tournament since 1998.\nJunior forward Shelley Gruszka, who netted the Hoosiers lone tally against Illinois, said she was happy the Hoosiers were able to recognize their goal of reaching the post-season.\n"It was disappointing to only manage a split this weekend," Gruszka said. "That one win on Friday though helps us get into the Big Ten tournament, and that was important."\nThe Hoosiers went on the road hoping to beat two teams ranked below them in the standings and got off to a good start with an impressive and dominating performance in Iowa City. Just ten minutes into the game, freshman midfielder Kristen Zmijewski beat Big Ten Defensive player of the week, sophomore Hawkeye keeper Britta Vogele, to give the Hoosiers a 1-0 lead. The goal was Zmijewski's fourth of the season.\nAfter giving up an equalizer early in the second half, the Hoosiers showed resiliency and battled back with two late goals in the second half. Senior midfielder Kara Bryan gave the Hoosiers a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute, and in the 87th minute, IU got an insurance goal when senior forward Jenny Mann registered her first goal of the season.\nCoach Mick Lyon said he was pleased with how the Hoosiers battled back against Iowa.\n"It was a great team performance, and it was definitely a team effort," Lyon said in a statement. "In the first half, we played well, but we weren't playing our best soccer. The way we came through the game is that we would find a way to win games, and that's what we did today. We turned free kicks into goals, turned breakaways into goals."\nThe win was extremely rewarding for a senior class that has never been to the post-season, and has never beaten Iowa.\nThe Hoosiers came out against Illinois and quickly took a 1-0 lead as Gruszka tallied her team leading fifth goal of the season, coming on an assist from Mann. After that goal though, Illinois rallied back with two goals for a 2-1 victory.\n"We should have beat Illinois," Mann said. "We were up 1-0, and they got two fluky goals. I'm happy to have beaten Iowa, but we should have had two wins this weekend."\nMann said she knows that the season is still not over, even though IU reached its goal of qualifying for the post-season.\n"We will now be fired up for our next game at Purdue," Mann said. "We will have to start all over next week."\nGruszka called yesterday's game a huge disappointment, after the tough win Friday. \n"It's a huge let-down to have played great Friday, and then play slow on Sunday," Gruszka said. "We just couldn't keep up with Illinois"
(10/18/02 5:23am)
Ever since last year's disappointment of missing the Big Ten Tournament by the slimmest of margins, the IU women's soccer team has preached the importance of getting to the post-season this year. After tonight's game in Iowa City and Sunday's game in Champaign, Ill., they might have done enough to earn a trip to East Lansing, Mich., where the Big Ten Tournament will be held in three weeks, and the Hoosiers are looking to solidify their chances of competing in it.\nThe Hoosiers enter the weekend at 7-4-2 (3-2-2). IU is currently in fifth place in the Big Ten, and the top six teams make it to the postseason. Iowa and Illinois enter the weekend in seventh and tenth place respectively.\nSenior forward Kristen Sprunger, who has never played in the postseason, said she knows how key the battles with Iowa and Illinois are to getting into the conference tournament.\n"We know this weekend is very important if we're going to get into the Big Ten tournament," Sprunger said. "That is all the motivator that we need to get ready for this game."\nLast weekend, the Hoosiers battled Michigan and Michigan State, the second and third teams in the conference, and came away with a win and a loss. This weekend the Hoosiers battle two of the bottom teams in the league, but coach Mick Lyon will not let his team lose focus because of their opponent.\n"Any team from the Big Ten is capable of beating anybody else in the Big Ten," Lyon said. "We do not take any team lightly."\nIowa's record is 7-5-1 (2-4-1), and their sophomore goalkeeper Britta Vogele is the reigning conference Defensive Player of the Week after two dominating performances against Ohio State and Penn State last week. Freshman defender Ryan Hanley said she is not phased by going up against such a tough force.\n"We have good scorers up top on this team," Hanley said. "If we can get it to their feet, they will be able to put a few in."\nWhile most teams dread a weekend trip, especially a long one to Iowa, the Hoosiers said they are confident and relaxed after two weekends in a row at Bill Armstrong Stadium. \n"I like the road because I get to spend more time with the team, and we can prepare them better," Lyon said. "We can just go out and relax and play well."\nSprunger added that the Hoosiers are ready for the challenge.\n"It's a long trip to Iowa," Sprunger said. "We will be fresh for them though, and then ready to go on Sunday against Illinois."\nSprunger said the team needs both wins this weekend to bolster their chances at making the tournament.\n"Our goal is to go 2-0 this weekend, and play well," Sprunger said. "In the past we have missed the Big Ten tournament by only a few points, so this weekend is really important."\nLyon told the team they can control their own destiny with a strong performance this weekend. \n"We are looking for two positive results this weekend," he said.\nHanley added that the Hoosiers can't overlook the games this weekend just because they are playing against teams ranked lower.\n"We know we need to play these teams as hard as we play any other team we play," Hanley said.
(10/10/02 6:14am)
Nobody wants to be the one who is not able to go to the big dance. This can be any dance, whether it is 7th grade, the prom or a semi-formal. Being branded as the one person without a chance to participate can be hurtful. \nWhen it comes to the NCAA's "Big Dance," post-season play, there is no four-year player on the IU women's soccer team that has been able to dance there. This may be the first time in women's soccer history that happened. There are some determined people making sure this isn't the first senior class to graduate without a post-season appearance.\nThe IU women's soccer team has had five trips to the Big Ten tournament and two trips to the NCAA national tournament in its history. Every graduate has been to, at minimum, one of these games. This year's seniors -- forward Kate Kastl, forward Kristen Sprunger, midfielder Kara Bryan, forward Jenny Mann, midfielder Lisa Tecklenburg and midfielder Dana Philp -- are working toward assuring that they are not the notorious first class at IU to have this distinction.\n"By far, the most important goal I have, and the team has, is to make the post-season," Bryan said. "We as seniors want to experience that feeling since we haven't been there before."\nWhile all the seniors want to play in the post-season for the accomplishment it would bring, others want to play just to continue their tenure at IU for as long as possible.\n"When you play this game you don't always remember all the wins and losses, but you remember the experiences you have had with your teammates," Sprunger said. "I've played so many games here, and it's the girls I play with that I cherish the most and will want to hold onto."\nSprunger still has the goal most of her teammates have, and that is to get into the post-season. \n"This has been one of our goals all along," Sprunger said. "This is the last chance for us. We have heard the stories about how great the post-season is, and we want to experience it."\nKastl remembers coming to IU as a recruit, and watching the Hoosiers play in a post-season game. IU was a top 20 team then.\n"We had high expectations coming here, and it would be a let down if we are the ones who didn't make it," Kastl said.\nWhen asked if she would look back in 20 years and be disappointed if she never participated in the post-season, Mann said she wouldn't change a thing. The friendship she has, and what she learned while here, are the things she will cherish the most, she said. She said she expects all the girls from this graduating class to be a part of her life, whether they can get to the Big Ten or NCAA tournament.\nEven though she wouldn't be disappointed in the future, Mann would like to "end this season with a bang."\n"If we don't get to the post-season, it's not a failure," Kastl said. "We are giving it all we have, and have been for four years, so we didn't fail at all."\nThe last time IU participated in the Big Ten tournament and NCAA tournament was in 1998. The Hoosiers finished that year ranked 17th nationally, and have yet to crack the Top 25 at the end of the season since. With their impressive 6-3-2 (2-1-2) record, the Hoosiers have a chance of making the post-season. \n"This is a new era of IU soccer, and we want to get it off to a good start with a post-season berth," Bryan said. "So far we are playing well enough to be there."\nTecklenburg said the whole team needs to be excited about making the post-season, not just the seniors. \n"This is something for everyone on the team to accomplish," Tecklenburg said.\nWhether the Hoosiers make the Big Ten playoffs or not depends on if they finish in the top six of the conference. If they do not win the conference tournament, the Hoosiers will have to rely on an at-large bid, which is always a shaky proposition. \n"I just want to prolong this last season as much as I can," Sprunger said.
(10/07/02 6:06am)
This weekend the IU women's soccer team had two gritty performances and two stellar halves of soccer against two teams from Chicago. They can thank two freshmen for these results.\nThis weekend the Hoosiers went 1-0-1 against DePaul and Northwestern, to improve to 6-3-2 (3-1-2) on the season.\nFriday night, at Bill Armstrong Stadium, IU defeated DePaul 1-0. The Hoosiers scored in the 15th minute, when freshman forward Kristen Zmijewski put back a rebound from junior defender Carly Everett.\n"Carly (Everett) crossed it in and we've been working on finishing those passes in practice" Zmijewski said. "The keeper bobbled it and I was able to score."\nIt was the second consecutive game that Zmijewski registered the game-wining goal for IU. The Hoosiers dominated the Blue Demons in the first half, out shooting DePaul 10-0, and out cornering them 4-0. In the second half, coach Mick Lyon decided to replace his starting junior goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty with junior Kristen Pimlott. Pimlott turned aside four DePaul shots, as they peppered her with 10 shots on goal.\n"It was fun to be out there with everybody" Pimlott said. "I was not told I was going to play until halftime, but I wasn't nervous, just really excited to get out there and play."\n"We have two great keepers" Lyon said. "It was a great chance for Pimlott to get experience, and she really handled it well."\nThe star of the game for the Hoosiers on Friday was Zmijewski. A candidate for Big Ten freshman of the year, Zmijewski showed once again why Lyon can't keep her out of the lineup, with a dominating performance.\n"Kristen is an extremely talented and creative player", Lyon said. "Her best years are certainly ahead of her, and she's doing wonderful now."\nThe Hoosiers held on for the win as DePaul outplayed IU in the second half. Pimlott made several key saves, and the defense thwarted any quality Blue Demons scoring chance. The Hoosiers were fortunate when a foul was called against them right on the cusp of their penalty area in the 87th minute. It appeared as though the DePaul player was dragged inside the penalty area, but the referee awarded a free kick instead of a penalty shot, which was knocked away by the defensive wall of IU. \nLyon said his team played well enough to find a way to win Friday night. \n"The players battled hard" Lyon said. "They rolled up their sleeves and dug deep to pull this one out."\nNorthwestern came to town on Sunday, looking to hand the Hoosiers their first home loss of the season. It looked good for Northwestern early as they scored just 41 seconds into the game. Senior Aileen Guiney tallied that goal when her corner kick went straight into the net. Six minutes later Guiney tallied an assist on another corner kick goal, this one by sophomore Carolyn Hack \n"We came out really flat in that first minute" Daugherty said. "Those two goals were bad mental mistakes by the team and I. We should have come out sharper."\nThe Hoosiers looked uninspired in the first half, trailing 2-0 and being dominated. Northwestern, who entered the game tied for last in the Big Ten, outplayed IU in the first half by outworking the Hoosiers,and dominating the play physically. \n"In the first half, we watched them play and didn't put a body on their players", Lyon said. "In the second half we wanted to come out and pressure them more."\nThe Hoosiers came out in the second half and still looked like a team confused, until freshman forward Robin Barker scored her first collegiate goal in the 68th minute. Barker scored on a deflection from junior midfielder Emily Hotz, and gave the Hoosiers a wake up call. \n"When I saw the goal, I was wondering, did that just go in?" Barker said. "It was awesome to get that first goal and to get us on the scoreboard."\nBarker wasn't the only freshman to step up in this game. Zmijewski once again scored a huge goal for the Hoosiers, netting her third goal in three games (all game winners or equalizers) to tie the score at 2, in the 81st minute. After Zmijewski's goal, Armstrong Stadium erupted, and the crowd really became a factor. \n"We knew we had to pick it up at home", Zmijewski said. \n"It was so important for us not to lose this game at home" Barker said.\nZmijewski, who is quickly getting a reputation for scoring huge goals for the Hoosiers, said she felt just as excited for that goal as the other ones. "It was really exciting putting that one in" Zmijewski said.\nSenior midfielder Kara Bryan hit the crossbar in the waning second, and the game went into overtime. In the extra session IU had the momentum, and controlled the game, but couldn't score another goal and had to settle for a 2-2 tie.\n"We should have won this game, but we can't hang our heads low after this one" Daugherty said.\n"You have to credit the girls, they rolled their sleeves up and battled back." Lyon said. You can't start a game down two goals, and expect to win very often. We are finding ways to get results and that is very promising."\nThe Hoosiers motto this year is to "Outwork Every Opponent." This weekend, they can claim that they did that for two of the four periods they played. It was enough for a successful weekend though.\n"This weekend was a solid B performance", Lyon said. "We were undefeated at home, we got four points, one point in the conference, and that is important."\nHe can thank his two freshmen for that.
(10/04/02 8:22pm)
The IU women's soccer team will take a break from its Big Ten schedule tonight by hosting DePaul before returning to conference play Saturday to battle Northwestern. These two games will start the second half of the Hoosiers' schedule, and will have ramifications for an NCAA tournament bid.\nDePaul will be playing the Hoosiers for the first time, and are the last non-conference opponent IU will face until Oct. 27. IU comes into the weekend with a 5-3-1 (2-1-1) record while the Blue Demons enter the weekend with a 6-3-0 record (2-2-0). The Hoosiers know that although they are not playing a Big Ten foe, it is still an extremely important game.\n"The better we can do in this game, the better we will look at selection time," senior forward Jenny Mann said. "We're happy where we're at, but we need to win this game."\nFreshman midfielder Kristen Zmijewski, who hails from the Chicago suburbs and considered attending Depaul, is excited about tonight's contest. \n"It's going to be exciting to play them, since I was looking to play at DePaul" Zmijewski said. "It would really be nice to kick their butt." \nCoach Mick Lyon knows that these opponents will be different, but is stressing the importance of a strong weekend. \n"We look at every game as another step in the program," Lyon said. "We are going to look at the whole weekend, but obviously Sunday is more important, being a conference game."\nLyon said the break in the conference schedule will not disrupt the team's play.\n"It's good to keep playing games and playing with a rhythm" Lyon said.\nJunior forward Shelly Gruszka is ready for a battle with Northwestern, with revenge on her mind. Last year, the Wildcats tied the Hoosiers 1-1, and beat IU out on the fifth tiebreaker for entrance into the Big Ten tournament. \n"That game against them last year haunted us" Gruszka said. "We are going to come out to play them on fire."\nMann said that Northwestern has a style similar to Ohio State, who the Hoosiers defeated 3-1 last Sunday. \n"They are a lot like OSU; they are big, physical and fast. They like to knock it and go" Mann said.\nThe team has been preparing for both games this weekend with a similar game plan in practice this week.\n"We have been looking at both games as being important" Gruszka said. "It would be huge to get a third win in the Big Ten though this weekend."\nLyon said this weekend will be important when the Big Ten tournament begins.\n"We want to get three points in the conference, and remain undefeated at home" Lyon said. "We need to rack up as many wins and points as we can for tournament time"
(09/27/02 5:49am)
Competing in the Big Ten Conference makes it difficult for a team to ever relax after receiving an accolade. After being ranked 8th in the Great Lakes Region by Soccer Buzz magazine and on the cusp of a national top 25 ranking, the Hoosiers face their most difficult task of the season this weekend. Tonight the Hoosiers battle Penn State in Happy Valley, and then battle Ohio State in Columbus on Sunday.\nThis is an early season road trip that can define the team's success this season. It won't be easy for the Hoosiers, beginning tonight when they battle the defending Big Ten champs and 13th ranked (NSCAA) Nittany Lions. The Hoosiers enter the weekend on a four game unbeaten streak.\nPenn State is a perfect 9-0 against the Hoosiers in the regular season, outscoring IU 24-10 in those battles. The Nittany Lions have two dynamic strikers in reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, Heidi Drummond, and Christie Welsh, the Player of the Year in the conference last season. All these accolades do not scare Coach Mick Lyon.\n"We worry about the numbers on the back when practicing our defensive match-ups, not the last names" Lyon said. "That takes away some of the mystique."\nThe team knows it has a daunting task ahead of them tonight. Last year Penn State beat the Hoosiers 4-1, a loss that damaged the Hoosiers and lead to a devastating late season losing streak. The Hoosiers have revenge on their mind this year.\n"In previous years they have obviously done well against us," sophomore midfielder Kim Grodek said. "We have to come out and play hard, and we have last year's game as a good motivating factor for us."\nJunior defender Erin Hesselbach knows the Hoosiers need to have a strong game defensively if they are to defeat Penn State. "We have to play as one defense to be successful" Hesselbach said. "We need to tackle hard when we get the chance, block some shots and play really hard."\nThe coaching staff has worked on a defensive scheme to try and shut down a Penn State squad that has registered 19 goals in only seven games this year. Junior goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty is leading the Big Ten with 14 saves, however the team needs to try and prevent shots on goal to be successful.\n"We have to be more conservative, tighten down, and have detailed defensive assignments," Lyon said. "I am looking forward to seeing how detailed and professional we can be against them."\nIn order to be viewed as a serious contender in the Big Ten, the team knows they need to have a strong showing against this perennial conference power. "We think we are a good team, so we have to go out there and prove it this weekend," Hesselbach said. \nGrodek said he likes the Hoosiers' chances this weekend. "If we do what we've been working on in practice and concentrate, we have a good chance," he said.\nLyon knows this is his first chance for his team to make a huge splash in the Big Ten this season. Although the Hoosiers battle Penn State tonight, he knows a dangerous Ohio State team waits in the wings for Sunday. "I'm looking for two good results this weekend," Lyon said.\nThere is no debating this weekend will tell a lot about these new look Hoosiers. However, Lyon summed it all up with one sentence.\n"We will truly learn a lot about ourselves by playing Penn State and Ohio State this weekend," he said.
(09/25/02 10:47pm)
Five fouls in a NCAA basketball game will get a player ejected. Committing a penalty in a hockey game will relegate a player to the penalty box. Offensive holding in a football game will push a player back ten yards. Most coaches will preach the avoidance of such blunders. Don't tell that to the women's soccer coach, Mick Lyon.\nLyon has been preaching to his team the importance of physical play to compete in the Big Ten. The stat that Lyon looks most closely at when analyzing the aggressiveness of his team is the amount of fouls they commit, and how many corner kicks they are awarded. Lyon said he wants his team to take more corner kicks than its opponent because a corner kick, or any set play for that matter, is more likely to net a goal, and it rewards effort and hustle. Lyon also said fouls show a team's determination.\n"When you battle, teams step off because they realize they can't win by brute force," Lyon said. "What an opponent presents against us physically, we like to match."\nSophomore midfielder Kim Grodek said the team listens to the coaching staff about the importance of being physical and aggressive.\n"In every game we play, especially in the Big Ten, it's an aggressive game," Grodek said. "Playing tough gives us a name, and when people play us they know they're going to have to play differently to get past us."\nCommitting a foul isn't always wise, such as in the goalkeepers area, which results in a penalty shot. A foul that is too aggressive or delivered with malicious intent can land a player a yellow card as a warning, or a red card for immediate ejection. The team does not preach such ignorant fouls.\n"Soccer is a contact sport," Lyon said. "It is a physical game. If you receive a card for being tough that is acceptable, but we have rules against receiving a card for talking or fighting because that shows a lack of discipline."\nGrodek said the team understands there are appropriate times to play hard and aggressive, and other times you have to be more careful. \n"It's okay for us to commit a foul, as long as it is in the right area or right time of the game," Grodek said.\nFreshman forward Robin Barker said winning corners and committing a foul are signs of playing harder than your opponent. \n"Fouls and corners mean that you're going after every single ball, and you need to do that to win games" Barker said.\nLyon does not usually pay attention to the corner or foul stats during a game because he said those are numbers that usually speak for themselves after the game and prove the team's effort. The players follow the same philosophy as their coach.\nGrodek said she does not look at the scoreboard during the game to see how the team is doing in those stats, she just knows if the team is playing hard or not. Barker said the team knows when they are doing these things by their effort on the field. \n"If you play hard and give your all, you will win these stats," Barker said.\nAn aggressive style of play has lead the Hoosiers to the No. 8 rank in the Great Lakes Region by Soccer Buzz magazine. The Hoosiers have out-cornered their opponents 41-33 this year, and have committed 14 more penalties than the opposition. These stats have helped elevate the team to a four game unbeaten streak, and third place in the Big Ten. In a testament to their aggressive, yet clean play, Hoosier opponents have received five penalty cards this year, while the Hoosiers have received four penalty cards.\nLyon said he doesn't usually go into the lockeroom at halftime to preach these stats because they usually pan out as you dominate a team. \n"When you are rising to the occasion and attacking you will get corners and fouls" Lyon said.\nWhile committing more fouls does not translate into more goals, it can help set the tone in a sport dominated by defense and physical play. \nAs for the corner kicks, Lyon said they are important for one simple reason:\n"You can convert corners into goals." \nAnd goals are the most important stat any team can have in a game.
(09/20/02 5:56am)
The women's soccer team opens their Big Ten schedule this weekend with a games against Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Wisconsin game is 7 p.m. tonight and the Minnesota game starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Both matches will be played at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nThe showdowns this weekend will give the Hoosiers a sense of how good they are as a team, after going 3-2 in pre-conference play. Coach Mick Lyon, who is coaching in his first Big Ten contest, said he is excited for this opportunity for himself and his team.\n"I'm not nervous, but very excited for this game" Lyon said. "(Wisconsin) Coach (Dean) Duerst is an old friend of mine that I played against, and I look forward to our teams battling each other."\nFreshman defender Ryan Hanley said she is also excited for her first exposure to Big Ten soccer. \n"I'm a bit nervous, but ready to play," she said. "A lot of the upper-classmen have been telling me how exciting a game like this is going to be."\nWisconsin will be traveling to Bloomington with revenge in their sights after a 1-0 loss to the Hoosiers last season. The Badgers entered that game ranked 23rd in the country, but could never rebound from the loss to the Hoosiers and wound up in last place in the Big Ten last season.\nJunior forward Shelly Gruszka scored the game's lone goal last year in Madison, and feels that the Badgers will try to even the score tonight. \n"Wisconsin will be looking for revenge, that's for sure" Gruszka said. "I know some of the players over there and they have been talking about this game for a while."\nGruszka said it is important for the team to win tonight to prove to other Big Ten teams that the Hoosiers are a formidable team in the conference.\n "Wisconsin is going to come out and play us hard," she said, "but it would be huge if we could get a win in our first Big Ten game." \nCoach Lyon said Wisconsin is a good early test for his team because he believes they are a team that the Hoosiers can compete well with.\n"We would love to set the tempo by going 2-0 this weekend, and playing well while winning both games" Lyon said. \nThe last few games between IU and Wisconsin have been extremely close. In the last three games between the squads the series is tied 1-1-1 with two of the games going to double overtime. With this history between the two teams Lyon said it is important for the team to score first and try to maintain that lead in a game that should be a defensive battle.\n"That first goal is always important because not only does it give you the lead, but it helps to give your confidence as well," he said. "That first crack of the net usually elevates the play," \nHanley said the team isn't treating this as just another game, and the coaching staff has let the team know this week how important the Big Ten opener is.\n"The coaches expect more of us for this game," Hanley said. "They've pushed us harder and motivated us, and we're ready to respond."\nDon't forget to listen to the game on 1570 AM, WIUS, Pure Student Radio. You can catch all the action at 7 p.m., with the pre-game beginning at 6:50 p.m.. The game will also be broadcast on www.purestudentradio.com.
(09/12/02 5:09am)
After a 3-1 setback at Cincinnati last week, the Hoosiers battle Xavier tonight at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers enter the game 1-2.\nThe Hoosiers have allowed seven goals in their first three contests this year, and they need to improve their defense against the Musketeers, with conference play only a week away. \n"We need to solidify organization at the back and establish a rhythm," coach Mick Lyon said.\n"The effort is fine. We (the coaching staff) are pushing the team, and they are responding. We just need to have a good outing on the field."\nLyon said he wasn't worried his team surrendered three goals to the Bearcats. Lyon said the defense played fairly well, and only allowed the final two goals to score because the team sent up extra attackers to try and get the equalizing goal.\nJunior goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty said the team has been working on their defense in practice this week in preparation for the Musketeers. \n"One of their players has a terrific flip throw, so we have been focusing on crossing balls in the crease, clearing them out, applying pressure and bodying up their players", Daugherty said. \nDaugherty said the team has struggled this year with their defense because of all the adjustments the Hoosiers have had to make since last season.\n"We started from square one. We have new coaches with a new style, and it's a learning process," Daugherty said. "We also have two freshmen starting in the back, and it's getting there. But its taking some time."\nSenior forward Kristen Sprunger said it is important for the team to play organized as well as victoriously. \n"Winning is obviously our goal for the game, but we also want to look good and play well," Sprunger said. "If we can do that we will feel good about ourselves."\nDaugherty agreed with her teammate, preaching how much confidence the team would get form a solid effort and victory.\n"We are 1-2 now," Daugherty said. "Going to .500 would be a huge boost for us, and we need to score some goals, play good defense and get our confidence back."\nLyon said a win tonight would help establish his team's credibility in the Big Ten. \n"It's important to be at .500 in the Big Ten, and its also important for teams in this conference to win non-conference games for the sake of all the teams in the Big Ten." Lyon said. \nLyon also said the team needs to utilize the whole field, something they haven't been doing much of this season. \n"We have to start using the whole field, spreading out wide and attack that way," Lyon said. "We have the whole field to use, so we might as well use it. You gotta go outside to get the ball inside."\nSprunger said the team has been practicing that technique all week in preparation for tonight. \n"The team is working to increase the speed of play and looking to playing more wide, and expanding the field, while being organized defensively," Sprunger said.\nThe Hoosiers will need all their systems working smoothly to defeat a Musketeers team that just won the Crieghton Blue Devil Classic last week. Xavier is 2-2 and is looking for redemption after losing to the Hoosiers 1-0 in overtime last year.
(09/05/02 6:33am)
This season the women's soccer team is sporting new shades of cream and crimson on their jerseys. They also have a Purple Ace on the sideline.\nPatrolling the sideline this year for the Hoosiers is Mick Lyon, the former University of Evansville coach. Lyon spent nine seasons coaching the Purple Aces and has knowledge and experience coaching in the Hoosier state, winning six consecutive Missouri Valley Conference titles since 1996. In that same time period the Hoosiers have only mustered one Big Ten title.\nA native of Boston, England, Lyon was a member of England's National under-18 Schoolboy Team, before coming to play at Evansville for three years (he only had three years of eligibility). Lyon was "kind of hanging out" when he got an invitation to play at Evansville. He accepted reasoning that when he looked on a map he saw that Evansville was near Chicago.\nLyon was awarded MVP status at Evansville from 1985-1987. In 1987 he was named an All-American as well as the M.C.C. Player of the Year. Lyon received a B.S. in Education and is currently working on his Masters Degree in public administration.\nBefore becoming the inaugural coach of the Evansville women's team, Lyon was an assistant coach on the men's team from 1991-93. That experience helped him compile a record of 107-65-18 with the Purple Aces. \nLyon left a successful record at Evansville to coach at IU. Lyon said he felt he reached a point where it was time to move on. \n"Generally there is a ceiling at a mid-major school, and that ceiling doesn't include a national championship," Lyon said. "One of my career goals is to coach a national championship team, and I feel that Indiana has that capability."\nLyon said he is familiar with Big Ten Competition. Last year Evansville played Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois, and has faced other Big Ten teams over the years. Lyon's squad even battled the Hoosiers once, suffering a 4-1 setback at Armstrong Stadium Oct. 4, 1995. \n"I know quite a bit about these programs and coaches, so things shouldn't be that unfamiliar," Lyon said.\nLyon is a hands-on coach, partaking in the drills with his players in the 90-degree heat, while loudly barking instructions. He has a different style form former coach Joe Kelley, who was more laid back and barely audible at practice. The players, who enjoyed playing for Kelley have taken a liking to the new coach. \n"This off-season has been going very well. We really like coach Lyon," senior forward Jenny Mann said. "His intensity is really good for us. We feed off that intensity. This past weekend he had us fired up, and he had us ready to score a golden goal in the 120th minute."\nSenior midfielder Kara Bryan has noticed the team's new attitude under the new coach.\n"Everything changes with a coaching change. The formations and style are different," Bryan said. "The team comes in with a lot of expectations for this coach, and after last year's disappointment, he has pushed us to work really hard. Everyone wants to play really hard for coach Lyon." \nLyon didn't come by himself from Evansville. Ian Rickerby joins the Hoosiers staff after spending 1994-98 as an assistant with Lyon.\nRickerby, who is also excited about joining a big time program at IU, notices the players responding well to Lyon.\n"We all want to work here at a higher level," Rickerby said. "A new coach can be difficult for players. Change is a part of life, and the players are responding positively to the hands-on approach Mick has had."\nLyon brings an impressive resume to a team with a winning conference record only once in their nine season history. \nLyon was named one of the NSCAA's Top 50 Winningest Head Coaches at the Division I level in May 2002. When named one of the top coaches in the nation, Lyon was aware he had 100 career wins, but said he has an honor he is even more proud of. \n"Seeing a young naive freshman who turns into a competent mature senior after four years of hard work in the classroom, socially and on the field, is why I am involved in the profession," Lyon said. \nThe one thing Lyon has experienced that no current Hoosiers can lay claim to is his trip to the NCAA tournament. His goal is to take the Hoosiers there this season. Lyon has already shed enough sweat this summer running drills with his team. Now it's time for him to let his experienced squad release some blood and tears and help him to his goal of coaching a national championship team.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The women's golf team will welcome 13 teams for the Indiana Invite at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, and the Hoosiers said winning their only home match of the season won't be easy. \nBut history sides with IU, which has captured the tournament the past three seasons and has never finished lower than third place since the tournament began in 1982.\nCoach Sam Carmichael has coached the Hoosiers in each of the annual tournaments and said he is excited to compete.\n"This is our home course, and we are here to win," Carmichael said. \nNo. 35 IU welcomes eight top-50 schools, including Big Ten foes No. 14 Northwestern, No. 17 Ohio State, No. 24 Michigan State, No. 31 Michigan and No. 42 Minnesota. \nCarmichael said he expects the stiffest competition to come from conference counterparts Ohio State, Michigan State and Northwestern.\n"We know them well from Big Ten competition," Carmichael said. \nSeniors Natalie Tucker and Inga Snyder, junior Tiffany Fisher, freshman Ambry Bishop and redshirt freshman Danah Ford will compete for the Hoosiers this weekend. \n"It'll be nice to stay at home this weekend," Bishop said. \nBishop is coming off a career-best round of 73 last week in the San Antonio Shootout, which IU won by six strokes, edging out No. 28 Kent State, which will be in Bloomington Saturday.\nFord is also anticipating her Bloomington debut. She is an Indianapolis native and said she is excited that her family and friends will have a chance to watch her compete. \nAs a redshirt last season, Ford helped the team prepare for the tournament, but this season she said she is looking forward to playing well, which includes a solid 36 holes Saturday and 18 more Sunday.\n"I love, no matter how good or bad you played on Saturday, to come out and have a strong outing on Sunday," Ford said.\nCarmichael said this weekend will provide the Hoosiers a chance to work out the kinks before heading into the Big Ten tournament later this month.\n"This will be a good showcase of how we'll do (at the Big Ten tournament), since so many conference teams are competing," Carmichael said. "We've already won twice during the spring season, and we've been playing well, so I like our chances."\nIU plays host to only one home tournament per season, but the memories can last a lifetime. Former Hoosier Michelle Redmond, who is touring with the Ladies Professional Golf Association, visited Bloomington this week and reflected on her rounds in the Indiana Invite. \n"I remember winning it," Redmond said. "That tournament sticks out the most because we won it at home. It's exciting to win in front of the home fans"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Senior Natalie Tucker, who earned All-Big Ten honors last year and was an honorable mention All-American in women's golf, is on course this year for accolades as the leader of the women's golf attack.\nTucker is the reason the Hoosiers are undefeated this spring season, entering this weekend's Indiana Invitational as the nation's No. 35 team, coach Sam Carmichael said.\nTucker transferred to IU from Memphis before her junior year. From St. Leon, Ind., she has played golf seriously since her freshman year in high school, when it more a favor to her father. \nIn high school, Tucker's father was the golf coach and needed more players. And with her father and brother playing all the time, Tucker got bored on the sidelines. She took the challenge. \n"Natalie has a tremendous desire to want to get better," Carmichael said. "She knows she can get there through hard work, and she does.\n"People like Natalie Tucker make coaching enjoyable." \nTucker just returned from winning the individual title at the San Antonio Shootout, where she shot a career-best 72 in the final round and was named Big Ten golfer of the week. \nThe win was Tucker's second individual victory, and her first at IU. \nBut Tucker was only concerned about was the team victory. \n"More importantly, we won as a team, and it was awesome," she said. "The last day we were seven strokes back, but we fought through the rain together for the victory, and we won by about seven strokes. It was amazing."\nTucker said she transferred because she was unhappy with the direction of the program at Memphis; she said it appeared that "they didn't have the desire for success." \nUnder Carmichael, a seven-time Big Ten Women's Coach of the Year winner, Tucker has a coach who "wants to lead, and girls who want to be successful," she said.\nHer game is improving; she shot a career best 3-under par last weekend. But Tucker isn't talking about it.\n"Other girls talk more than me, but I lead with how I play," she said. \nJunior Tiffany Fisher said she is excited whenever she is on the course with Tucker.\n"She always brings in a good game for us because she's so confident," Fisher said. "She leads us by telling us to believe in ourselves, and showing the entire team confidence. I'm going to miss her competitive nature next year." \nTucker is a sports management and marketing major and has 15 credit hours to complete. Her eligibility is up after this year, but her time at IU is not. After graduation, Tucker might attend the LPGA qualifying school, attempting to become a professional. \n"Natalie is one of the better players to come through here during my tenure, and there have been some pretty good players through here," Carmichael said. "You never know who's gonna make it, but I wouldn't be surprised if she is a successful professional."\nFreshman Karen Dennison hasn't been around Tucker for long, but her style and class is catching Dennison's attention, she said.\n"She's a very hard worker, and it shows," Dennison said. "I'm going to miss her leadership next year. I see Tucker out there working so hard, so I feel I should be out there working hard too.\n"She really inspires me to work harder to improve my game."\nTucker, who puts in about 25 hours a week of practice, not to mention traveling and participating in tournaments, said she will be sad to leave collegiate golf because of the close bond she has with her teammates. \n"We've had a great season so far," she said. "It's been so exciting. I can't believe it's almost over. Golf has been a part of my life for so long, and I'm really going to miss traveling and having that camaraderie with my teammates.\n"Individual stats are nice, but it really means something to accomplish all of this with a team"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
"Kim (Grodek) will help us immediately," women's soccer coach Joe Kelley said about his freshman midfielder.\n Friday night, those words came true as Grodek scored the only goal in the 1-0 season opening victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.\n Grodek scored the goal at the 43rd minute, right before the end of the first half. She split the defense, took a pass from sophomore midfielder Emily Hotz and blasted a shot from the right side to the far post, as the sun was setting in the background. \n"I actually thought I was offside, but I was able to split the defense," Grodek said. "I saw that the goalie came off her line, so I just chipped it in over her. \n"I think we really needed that goal to get us off. We are looking for wins right now, and I am glad we were able to get one."\nKelley said he thought the goal was huge from a momentum standpoint. He would not have been content going into the locker room with a 0-0 score, as the Hoosiers did last season in a game they eventually lost to the Bearcats. \n"Goals were hard to come by today, but Kim did a great job keeping her composure," Kelley said. "The first win is always big as far as attitude and momentum go."\nIn a game marred with 35 fouls, in which both teams played stifling strategic defense. The Hoosiers appeared to control much of the action, as they improved to 7-2 all time against Cincinnati. \nThe Bearcats had 11 shots, keeping sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty on her toes. Daugherty said that while sometimes the defense was unorganized, she was satisfied with the overall effort of her teammates. \nOnce her team got the lead though, she knew she couldn't give it up, Daugherty said.\n"I couldn't let us give up that lead we worked so hard for," she said. "The defense did most of the dirty work, and to permit only two shots (on goal) is phenomenal."\nHotz, who assisted on the game's lone goal, was noticed more for her defense, shutting out the Bearcat's top strikers. \nIn this game, she was looking to generate some offense, she said. But once the team scored, she focused on the defensive side of the game. \n"Before we got that goal, I was looking for a mixture of offensive attacking and defensive markings," she said. "I tried to play the ball to the forwards and get it back. After that goal, I didn't want to get caught out of place though, so I focused on defense more." \nGrodek, playing in her first collegiate game, said her good feelings about the goal didn't sink in until after the fact. \n"At the time, I wasn't thinking that was my first goal. But looking back at it, it's special," she said. "I had a lot of fun out there. I didn't know how I would fit in and get used, but it was fun. My teammates made it easy for me to fit in." \nNew transfer and junior Kara Bryan, senior Kelly Kram, junior Dana Philp and sophomore Carly Everett were key in shutting down a team that played in last year's Conference USA championship game.\nThe Hoosiers improved to 8-1 all time in season openers, dating back to their inaugural season of 1993. This was the third time the team has played in Kuntz Stadium, a 5,000-seat backdrop for Butler University's team, as the team improved to 3-0 all-time there. \nKelley said the Hoosiers worked to present a unified front during the game.\n"(We focused on) being solid defensively and creating opportunities," Kelley said.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
After two 1-0 wins last, the women's soccer team faces rival Notre Dame in South Bend tonight.\n"Notre Dame is obviously one of the best teams in the country," coach Joe Kelley said. "They are talented and deep. A lot of their players have international experience.\n"It is a great environment to play in, and I think we are ready. As a program, we have grown, and I think our players have gained confidence in their ability. \nConfidence means so much to this team, and I think we are at the point where we aren't scared of a team like Notre Dame."\nIn eight career meetings with the Fighting Irish, the Hoosiers have lost all encounters, including a 4-1 loss in Bloomington in 1999. \nJunior Lisa Tecklenburg said she thinks that experience will be a good factor in trying to beat Notre Dame.\n"This year's team has a lot of juniors and sophomores who are experienced and know how to win a game like this," she said. "We have to remain calm and treat this like just another game, and just get back to the basics."\nWinning at Alumni Field in South Bend has been impossible for the Hoosiers during the last few years. The Irish are ranked third in the nation, have an unbroken 28-game winning streak at home and are 96-3-1 in their last 100 home matches.\nSophomore Emily Hotz said she is looking forward to her first encounter with Notre Dame. \nAfter scoring the only goal against Butler Tuesday, she said the team has been playing a lot better lately. \n"We have to prepare for Notre Dame the same way we do for every other team" she said. "We are focusing on mental toughness. The team is looking great. We are intense, optimistic and coming together at the right time."\nHotz said she is not preoccupied with losing. \n"You can't take this Irish team lightly. The way we have been playing though, we know we can compete with them," she said. "We are not intimidated, but excited."\nTecklenburg said she feels this is a game to show the nation just how good this team is. \n"Playing in the Big 10, it's hard to be ranked in the Top 25 due to so much competition," she said. "If we win or lose, we still should be ranked in the Top 25. We haven't earned being there yet, but the way we have been playing and the way we are capable of playing, we deserve to be there, and this can prove it."\n Only six current Hoosiers have battled the Irish before, so there will be a lot of players making their first trip to South Bend. \n The team kicks off their Big Ten Schedule in a few weeks. The Hoosiers have a 33-10-1 all-time record against non-conference foes.\n "This is good preparation for the Big 10 schedule," Tecklenburg said. "We know they battle and play a hard game, just like our conference opponents. This game can go either way...it can work for us or against us, depending on how we handle the game. This can define the season"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
IU 2, OHIO STATE 1\nThe IU women's soccer team split two games in their first home games this weekend.\nOn Friday night the team beat Ohio State 2-1 at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The victory propelled IU to its best start in school history, at 5-1-1, and surpassed its conference win total from last season in the year's third conference game.\nIU jumped on the board early when junior midfielder Kara Bryan took a cross from sophomore midfielder Emily Hotz. Hotz put the ball by Ohio State goalkeeper Jen Heaney from 18 yards at the 6:18 mark. Bryan's high shot caught Heaney just off her line and gave IU its earliest goal scored in a game this season.\n"That was a good goal for us," Bryan said. "We came out strong against them. It was our first game here. It was great to score an early goal. It helped set the tone."\nAs for the goal, Bryan said it was a great pass from Hotz, and she just blasted it hard.\nBryan took more of a leadership role as the Hoosiers were missing team co-captain Kelly Kram, who was home because of family matters.\n"Not having Kram hurt us," Bryan said. \nShe also said the entire team, including herself, took more responsibility and stepped up the intensity.\nThe Hoosiers allowed a goal to Buckeye Lisa Grubb with less than four minutes left in the first half. It was the fourth goal allowed by the Hoosiers all season. The goal was an exclamation to a half dominated by Ohio State, who controlled the majority of the tempo. The Hoosiers seemed flat after scoring the early goal.\n"That goal was a good shot," coach Joe Kelley said. "There was a breakdown before the shot. The forwards didn't pressure enough. You have to give them credit," he said.\nThe Hoosiers dominated the second half. IU outshot Ohio State 8-2 in the second half, captivated with a goal by junior forward Lisa Tecklenburg at 66:46. It was the last goal scored in the game.\nTecklenburg said it felt good to score the game-winning goal in the home opener. But, she didn't take all of the credit for the goal, which she shot high into the net from 20 yards out straight away.\n"I was there in the right place at the right time. Shelly Gruszka did most of the work," Tecklenburg said.\nThe Hoosiers had opportunities, but were hindered by offside calls. \n"The score easily could've been 5-0," said Hotz, who played a dominating defensive game, added with an assist. "The team did great tonight. There are tons of things we could've improved on, but we did great as a team. We needed this. We wanted to all step up and win this one for Kram."\nAnother factor in the victory was the return of sophomore back Carly Everett, who suffered an injury last week. She played an integral part of an IU defense that smothered and frustrated the Buckeyes all night.\n"I would say our style is tenacious. We don't give up on winning balls," Kelley said. "We have good tenacity to the ball and I think right now we are playing a style that is conducive to doing well in our conference."
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Friday night, the IU women's soccer team returned to Bill Armstrong Stadium to try and snap a two game losing streak. Instead, the Hoosiers were unable to capitalize on their offensive chances, and allowed two long goals in a 3-1 defeat to Illinois. \nIllinois controlled much of the first half action, keeping the ball on the IU side of the field for most of the early going, and they broke through at the 14:32 mark, when the Illini controlled a kick off the foot of Hoosier sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty. From there, the Illini had a two-on-one rush on goal that Colleen Joyce was able to score on.\n"That first goal, I'm the one to blame" Daugherty said. "It was a mental error."\nCoach Joe Kelley said the goal, along with another long goal scored in the 56th minute, was very disheartening. \n"We can't let that happen. Those are balls that should not be turning into goals" Kelley said.\nThe Illini added another goal by freshman midfielder Tara Hurless to put the game out of reach at 60:13.\nThe Hoosiers added a late goal when sophomore forward Shelly Gruszka beat Illinois keeper Sarah Anderson to the far post at 81:26. Gruszka's goal came after midfielder Emily Hotz played the ball into the area for Lisa Tecklenburg, who quickly found Gruszka for the score.\n"The score didn't show overall how we played today," Gruszka said. "We created opportunities, but it's important to capitalize and keep our composure. We need to stay confident," Gruszka said.\nSenior Kelly Kram, one of the team's captains was upset with the way the team played the Illini. "We need to refocus," Kram said. "We have to put these last three losses behind us. We can't talk about them. Instead we have to try and focus on winning our next three games to solidify our place in the Big Ten tournament."\nAlthough the Hoosiers lost 3-1, they did control much of the game's action, and outshot the Illini 14-12, forcing Anderson to make nine saves.\n"They definitely have some great offensive players," said Illinois head coach Tricia Taliaferro. \n"They created some real threats, and we were very lucky a few times. They are a very impressive team."\nKelley was unhappy the team lost, but was satisfied with its effort. \n"We tried. We just made some silly mistakes," he said.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The women's soccer team ended its season this weekend with two dramatic games, including a farewell to three seniors who have been heavy contributors to the Hoosiers program during the last four seasons.\nFriday night in Lexington, freshman Kim Grodek helped to stun the Kentucky Wildcats by scoring a goal with 33 seconds remaining in the game to give the Hoosiers a 1-1 tie. The goal was the third time this season Grodek has netted such an important tally, as she also scored the game tying goal against Notre Dame and a golden goal against Xavier earlier this season. \nSophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty helped the Hoosiers keep the Wildcats to their lone goal with a career high 14 saves -- the fourth highest save total in Indiana women's soccer history. \nSunday, the Hoosiers completed their season with a dominating 5-1 victory against the Ohio Bobcats at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The victory over the MAC champions put the Hoosiers over .500 with an 8-7-2 record (3-6-1 conference). IU began the year 5-1-1 for the best start in team history, finishing with a winning record for the first time in three seasons.\nSunday's game was senior day, as the Hoosiers said goodbye to three senior players -- midfielder Kelly Kram, midfielder/back Stacey Peterson and back Whitney Butler were all honored before the game, and were all starters for coach Joe Kelley\n"It doesn't matter if you get the start or not, what is exciting is being out there and playing," Butler said. "When you do get the start though, it is wonderful. You have to go out there and try to do everything possible."\nButler, who is known as a tenacious defender, played a physical game. The Hoosiers allowed only one goal to the Bobcats while thoroughly suffocating their high power offense. \n"I think I gave everything I had out there," Butler said. "It was my last game, so I tried my hardest."\nButler was called for a yellow card with only several minutes remaining in the game. \n"It was my first yellow card ever, but it was all ball," Butler said smiling. It was the first yellow card issued to a Hoosier all season.\nKelley, who thought that this game was the most dominating his team played all season, was happy with the effort his seniors gave him. He rewarded them by removing all three of them with 1:47 left in the game so that they could leave to a standing ovation.\n"It was the perfect way to end our careers with that ovation. It wasn't too emotional, just a great way to end things," Butler said.\nKram, who took a more defensive oriented role this season, agreed with Butler. \n"Getting taken out of the game like that was a very bittersweet ending," Kram said.\nThe Hoosiers five goals were their highest output of the season. But the game was an exclamation point to a season where the team has been able to contain high-powered offensive opponents with their defense.\nSophomore Emily Hotz lead the Hoosiers attack with two goals and two assists, as the team pummeled the Bobcats with 15 shots on goal. But all Hotz could think of after the game was the senior teammates that she would be playing with for the last time.\n"This game was huge for us. It sets the pace for the spring. However, this game was all for the seniors," Hotz said.\nHotz said she knew the team would come out and play a great game. She said she was happy with her offensive effort, but she truly worked hard for the seniors.\n"The game we just played was amazing," Hotz said. "It wasn't necessarily the best game we played all year, but it was played with the most heart."\nKelley was happy to see his team finish with a winning record after suffering an untimely five game losing streak in conference play.\n"It's good to end the season on a win," Kelley said. "It shows that this team is capable, and they're a good team. We had a run of bad play for two weeks, which is too bad for them, but we showed what we're made of at the end of the season."\n"We played with a lot of confidence today," Kelley said. "Some of the goals we put in were just textbook execution."\nThe Hoosiers offense, which struggled for much of the season, had little problems against the Bobcats. IU netted three goals in the first half and continued their onslaught with two highlight quality goals in the second half. Seven Hoosiers netted points in the season finale, led by Hotz and junior Kara Bryan, who added a goal and an assist. Peterson had an assist in her final game. Grodek and junior Jenny Mann also had goals.\nKelley used every player available to him to play except for two of his goalies. \n"I wanted to win today, but it was nice to get everyone out there today, because seeing them play in game situations and not just practice is always a great opportunity," he said.\n"It's so sad now," Hotz said. "I can't believe it's all over for them. They are incredible on the field and off of it."\nButler was excited for the convincing win, but had more enthusiasm for her younger teammates.\n"The win was excellent, but I'm glad that we got it, so that they can take this win and focus on the spring season," Butler said.\n"It was great to win this game, because we all played so hard," Kram said. "We went through a rough few weeks, but today was truly amazing. I'm going to miss playing with this team"