Team hopes to defend home turf

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. That could be the motto for the IU field hockey team (1-1) in their quest to defend its home turf against Ball State (0-0) Friday and UC Berkeley (2-1) Sunday. After winning their opener, the Hoosiers failed to effectively defend the friendly confines of Mellencamp Pavilion on Tuesday by losing a close contest to the Maine Blackbears 2-1.\nCoach Amy Robertson's squad will look to bolster an offensive attack that produced only one goal on Tuesday against Maine. For the offense to produce, Robertson said a consistent lineup and increased confidence will certainly aid the cause.\n"I think we're still trying to find an identity," Robertson said. "There's been a lot of changes (in the lineup), and it's only the program's third year. I think we still suffer from really believing in ourselves and having full confidence."\nThe Ball State game carries special significance for the Hoosiers since last year's 4-3 victory over the Cardinals was IU's only win. Sophomore forward Ryan Woolsey is eager to show the Cardinals last year was no mistake.\n"With Ball State being the only game we won last year, we are anxious to show that last year was no fluke," Woolsey said.\nIn order to prove their point, the Hoosiers will have to slow down a deeper and more experienced Cardinal squad than the 2001 team. Ball State is led offensively by senior forwards Allison Haynes and Monika Rhode go along with senior midfielder Heather Weinhold.\nThe big challenge for the Hoosiers on defensive and for senior goalkeeper Molly Pulkrabek will be slowing down Haynes, who racked up thirteen goals last season while earning second team All-MAC honors.\n"We have really focused our team defense on playing zone versus a man-to-man system," assistant coach Gina Lucido said. "This has helped to give us overall strength and confidence in the team as an entire defensive unit, and will help with controlling play against teams with speed and quick transition. Our desired result is poised defensive play, and an ability to quickly mount a counter-attack from any area of the field."\nNo matter what happens on Friday, IU must prepare for the California Golden Bears at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mellencamp Pavilion. The Hoosiers will be looking to stick to one of their main goals: game-to-game improvement.\n"We need to play with more competitiveness, and we need to play to win," Robertson said. "We're playing a good tactic right now, but we just need to learn how to win."\nIU's offensive success squarely centers on the Hoosiers' ability to beat the Golden Bear's sophomore goaltender, Kelly Knapp. Knapp stopped 15 shots in the Bear's narrow overtime loss to Ohio State Tuesday.\nRobertson said she's upbeat though.\n"We've got a lot of talent on this team with a lot of athleticism," Robertson said. "The way we're moving the ball around, this could be a great team. We fight as hard as we can each game"