Seniors shine in final game

The women's soccer team recognized its six seniors at Armstrong Stadium last night with the 10th annual Senior Night. After the pre-game festivities, IU went out and battled its in-state rival, the Butler Bulldogs. Butler, from the Horizon Conference, came to Bloomington with a 12-4 record, and looked to spoil Senior Night. \nA pair of seniors wouldn't allow that.\nAfter dominating Butler in most statistical categories for 85 minutes and spoiling numerous chances, IU (10-6-2, 4-4-2 Big Ten) finally scored a goal for a 1-0 win. It was scored by senior forward Jenny Mann, who was assisted by fellow senior forward Kate Kastl. The win improved IU to 4-5-1 all time against the Bulldogs. The goal gave the Hoosiers a win in their final regular season game before the Big Ten tournament, which begins in East Lansing, Mich. next Thursday.\nThe score came on a broken play as Kastl sent the ball to Mann, who bicycle kicked it from eight yards out, beating sophomore goalkeeper Katie Sanders.\n"It was amazing; I couldn't imagine going out any other way," Mann said about scoring the game's only tally. "Senior year has been a lot of fun."\nIU had numerous chances to score, peppering Sanders with 17 shots and earning five corner kicks. Butler could only muster five shots and one corner kick on a stingy IU defense. The Hoosiers squandered many opportunities, most notably when junior forward Shelly Gruszka missed an open net in the 67th minute. None of that mattered though, as IU earned its 10th win of the year with the dramatic late goal. \nIt's the first time the team has reached double-digit wins in a season since 1998.\n"It was a very exciting way for Jenny and I to end our soccer careers," Kastl said. "We can now look back at that goal, and also look back at the win."\nThe Hoosiers caught a break when senior midfielder Lisa Tecklenburg appeared to commit a handball infraction inside the goal crease just two minutes after the goal. Fortunately, the referees signaled a foul on Butler just a split second before the incident. After that, IU was able to keep the ball away from Butler and run the clock out.\nCoach Mick Lyon was happy about how his seniors, and the entire team, performed in their last game before the post-season.\n"It's extremely rewarding for the coaches, the program, and mostly the seniors players for how they played," Lyon said. "They did everything that was asked of them with enthusiasm, and embraced each challenge we gave to them."\nMann said the game was one the Hoosiers might not have capitalized on last year, but they showed toughness and found a way to win.\n"This is a game that last year might have gone to overtime for us, but this year we were able to win it," Mann said. "We played well together and earned it."\nThe Hoosiers now being to prepare for the Big Ten tournament, and the win has them focused and hungry for conference competition.\n"Tonight was very important for us because it ended one chapter, and now we start another one," Kastl said. "We are going into the post-season on a positive note." \nLyon is happy to have the team back in the post-season after a four-year absence. It has been a successful first year for the Hoosiers' coach.\n"I'm disappointed we didn't have 14 wins the way we played," Lyon said. "However, I am ecstatic for what we have accomplished, and I am ready to accomplish even more this year."\nLyon started all his seniors, who also include forward Kristen Sprunger, and midfielders Kara Bryan and Dana Philp. Each contributed in their last home game. Fortunately, there is still some season left, and this group of seniors hope it lasts for a while in post-season play.\n"This is a group that certainly still wants more," Lyon said.