IU field hockey starts with strong defense

Last year the IU women's field hockey team ended the season with a record of 6-13. \nAfter just seven games this year, the Hoosiers have almost already equaled their total wins as the team is currently 5-2. One of the main reasons for the team's success has been its defense.\nThe defense has pitched a shut-out in four of the seven games the Hoosiers have played this season.\nOne of the main reasons for the team's success this year has been the improved play of sophomore Morgan Albini. Coach Amy Robertson believes last year's experience has helped.\n"Morgan is very naturally athletic," Robertson said. "Last year she stepped right in and was an immediate contributor for us. This year the difference is she just has more experience and more confidence. She doesn't doubt herself, and with that athleticism and now that strength and confidence, she has just become a better player."\nAssistant coach Gina Lucido said she also believes Albini has made a significant improvement in her field hockey skills from last year to this year.\n"I think Morgan has always been really athletic, and she's very gifted that way," Lucido said. "But she has become much stronger on her possession skills and her tackling skills. She has become an attacking defender as well.\n"I said one of her greatest gifts is her athleticism and her speed and now not only is she a defensive threat, but when she comes up with the ball, she's jump-starting things into our attack. She's been so solid, and she's been working really hard and she has been such a strength and backbone part of our defense this year."\nLast year as a freshman, Albini was one of only five Hoosiers who started every game. One of the reasons she received so much playing time was her physical ability. However, this year she said she feels she has learned more of the mental side of the game.\n"This year I am so much more poised, I have so much more confidence, and the experience from last year has helped me so much with that," Albini said.\nAlbini and the rest of the defense hope to continue their solid play this weekend as they return home after playing in St. Louis last Sunday, to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions at 6 p.m. Friday and the Kent State Golden Flashes at 1 p.m. Sunday.\n-- Contact staff writer Andrew Rosen at ajrosen@indiana.edu.