Lost and looking for right direction

In search of their first Big Ten victory, the field hockey team goes into weekend play with a 1-7 overall record and a 0-1 record in conference play. Northwestern comes to Bloomington to play the Hoosiers today at 3 p.m. at the Mellencamp Pavilion. Northwestern enters the weekend with a similar 1-7 overall record and an 0-2 conference record. \nBut the Wildcats defeated the Hoosiers 7-0 in last year's game. The Wildcats have played two common opponents of the Hoosiers this year. Northwestern lost to Central Michigan 2-1, as did IU. But the Hoosiers beat Ball State 2-1 while Northwestern lost to the Cardinals 1-0.\nCoach Amy Robertson said she is looking forward to the Northwestern game and realizes both teams are eager to get in the win column in conference play.\n"Our two styles of play are very different, so I think that will be an interesting match-up," she said. "I think Northwestern will be an excellent match for us. We are both really hungry for wins."\nRobertson said she believes the Wildcats possess a more methodical style of play, while the Hoosiers like to play a more up-tempo game.\n"Northwestern plays at a more controlled tempo, whereas we are a little bit more frenzied on the attacking end," Robertson said. "They are strong players and can hit the ball well. So we would like to match Northwestern with a really high intensity level and be scrappy, get to every ball and get shots on goal.\nWhile the Hoosiers want to win, Robertson said it is also important for them to concentrate on the way they play as a team.\n"We are focusing on our game and our performance," Robertson said. "We try to come out and work with intensity, with effort and with bringing our level of play up during each of these games."\nFreshman forward Ryan Woolsey likes the Hoosiers chances if they utilize their time with the ball and approach the game with an energized mind-set.\n"We need to go into the game mentally excited for it and we need to keep possession of the ball and use space," Woolsey said.\nFreshman midfielder Kayla Bashore believed IU couldn't take the Wildcats lightly, knowing that the Hoosiers have to play hard to gain respect from their opponents.\n"Just because Northwestern only won one game doesn't mean we can walk all over them," Bashore said. "We have to think going into every game that we are lower and we need to work for respect."\nSenior co-captain Akila Jones said the Hoosiers know anything can happen on any day, but it is in their plans to win.\n"Anyone can beat anybody on any given day," Jones said. "I know that we are going to be more mentally focused. We are going to come out hard and fight hard. It's in our agenda to win, so whatever the odds may be, they will be in our favor." \nOn Sunday at 1 p.m., IU will play host to Louisville at the Mellencamp Pavilion in an out-of-conference match-up. The Cardinals are ranked No. 9 in the nation and boast a 9-2 record. Of Louisville's nine victories, three came against teams who defeated the Hoosiers already this year.\nRobertson said she knows the Louisville match will be a very tough match for her young team.\n"Louisville is very well coached," she said. "They are the up and coming team in the nation this season and have achieved a great deal. That will be a very challenging game"