Field hockey goes winless in conference

Going into Friday's match against No. 9 Ohio State, the women's field hockey team knew they would get the best the Buckeyes had to offer because with a win the Buckeyes would clinch a tie for the regular season Big Ten championship.\nThe Buckeyes determination outlasted the Hoosiers in a valiant effort. After holding the Buckeyes scoreless through the first 25 minutes of play, Ohio State got on the board as sophomore Jenee Doto beat Hoosier keeper junior Molly Pulkrabek with an assist from Buckeye sophomore Vanessa Immordino. Ohio State added a second goal just over a minute later to take a 2-0 lead into the half.\nTwenty minutes into the second half Immordino added a third goal for the Buckeyes to complete the 3-0 victory for OSU. The win moved the Buckeyes to 12-4 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play. Pulkrabek faced 19 shots on the day, tallying five saves. The Hoosiers offense was unable to mount a strong attack and didn't get a shot on the Buckeye goal all game.\nReturning home for their regular season finale against No. 15 Penn State the Hoosiers were hoping to send seniors Akila Jones and Brooke Magers out in style with their first Big Ten victory. But the Nittany Lions spoiled the Hoosiers senior day with a 3-0 victory Sunday afternoon.\nFifteen minutes into the match Penn State senior Kiley Kulina found fellow senior Meredith Shulzitski off a penalty corner to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later sophomore Kelly Larson found Kulina in front of the net as she blasted a slap shot by Pulkrabek.\nPulkrabek kept the Hoosiers in contention with a personal best 13 saves in the game, but Kulina was able to add her second goal of the day just a minute into the second half, giving PSU a 3-0 lead. That lead stood for the rest of the game despite IU's more aggressive attack in the final 20 minutes of play. The win moved the Nittany Lions to 11-6 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten competition, while the Hoosiers fell to 1-15 and 0-6 in conference play.\nDespite the loss, head coach Amy Robertson said she was pleased with her team's play.\n"I was very proud of the way the team played today," she said. "Penn State is one of the best all-around teams in the Big Ten."\nMagers said playing her last home game was bittersweet, but she also thought the Hoosiers played one of their best games all season against the Nittany Lions.\n"I think it was one of the best games we have played because Penn State is a phenomenal team," she said. "I have mixed emotions (about playing last home game), I would like to see us have a Big Ten win, but I have been overwhelmed and thrilled to be a part of the starting of this program and to see how much better we have gotten this year."\nFellow senior Jones didn't think the effects of her last game at IU had really hit her yet.\n"It hasn't set in with me yet," Jones said. "I don't have time to worry about it now because we have to worry about Big Ten's."\nPulkrabek's outstanding play impressed Robertson and others on the day.\n"I thought (Pulkrabek) played outstanding today," Robertson said. "Her play is a difference in allowing a team like Penn State to score nine goals and three goals. She is not only making the saves she is expected to make, she is making some spectacular plays and clearing the ball. Even the official after the game commented that our goalies should get goalkeeper of the year, which is a huge compliment to Molly (Pulkrabek) and Katie (Kanara). We are probably tested more than other goalkeepers."\nIU will face the Buckeyes again next Friday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament in Evanston, Ill. Pulkrabek thinks the Hoosiers can have success if the team plays like they did this weekend.\n"Hopefully I can play the same way at Big Ten's and the rest of the team will pull through and play like we did today," Pulkrabek said. "I think if we play like we did (against Penn State) we can have success"