Ranked rival hits town

The field hockey team returns to the friendly confines of John Mellencamp Pavilion this weekend to host two games. The Hoosiers will face-off against No. 2 Michigan tonight and will play host to Div. III Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon. \nIU is coming off a 5-1 loss to No. 5 Michigan State last Sunday. But, the score does no justice for the solid game the Hoosiers played. The contest was scoreless at the half and MSU led only 2-1 with ten minutes remaining. The defense just didn't hold up.\nThe Hoosier defense must hold up if they have a prayer at beating the Wolverines. UM has notched 45 goals while giving up just ten this season. \nSophomore back Brooke Evans thinks her defense is up to the challenge.\n"As a team we are focused on fine-tuning our skills," Evans said. "We need to play as a defensive unit, concentrate on staying low, keeping Michigan out of our circle, and most importantly communicating."\nThe Hoosiers will need all that and more to compete with a Michigan team that possesses two of the top scorers in the Big Ten. Forwards Molly Powers and April Fronzoni rank third and fourth in goals respectively and they are tied for third in points with 27. \nCoach Amy Robertson is more focused on Michigan's team as a whole.\n"Michigan plays a team style," Robertson said. "They will pass the ball around with speed while the forwards are constantly moving to lead into space, so you can't limit your focus to their top two goal scorers."\nThe Hoosiers are no stranger to tough competition this season. They have faced four teams that were or still reside in the Top 20 National Field Hockey Poll. Robertson thinks that experience can only help.\n"Our games against Michigan State and Penn State have given us experience that should benefit us going into our game against Michigan," Robertson said. "These teams execute at a higher level than most of our opponents and they challenge us to put forth our best effort and play our best game."\nIU's match-up with Div. III Lindenwood is a bit more low-key. The Lions posted a 15-4 record in 2001 which ranked them near the top of the Div. III standings. They are 10-1 this year, losing only to Wittenberg College. \nRobertson thinks this game will be interesting.\n"I think (Lindenwood) will play us differently than any other team we have faced in the past," Robertson said. "We will need to be flexible and smart about how we adjust to their style."\nOne player to watch over the weekend is freshman forward Nikki Orciuch. After scoring the game-winner against Ohio State on Oct. 5, Orciuch scored IU's only goal in their 5-1 loss to Michigan State. She is now tied for the team lead in goals, assists and points.\nOrciuch attributes her success to her determination.\n"My key element is heart," Orciuch said. "I play because I love playing and I want to win." \nThe freshman thinks her team is near the point where it can play at a high level on a consistent basis. \n"I think we are near our peak, it's just a matter of time and hard work," Orciuch said. "We just need to get there and stay there."\nIU will play Michigan tonight at 6 p.m. and Lindenwood on Sunday at 2 p.m. Both games will be held at John Mellencamp Pavilion.