Hoosiers battle Xavier tonight

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.