Hoosiers prepare for Big Ten action

Last season, the IU women's field hockey program, which had never finished a season with a winning record, entered Big Ten conference play with an eye toward bucking the trend. But the tough Big Ten competition thwarted any Hoosier hopes of finishing the season above .500, as the team finished with an 8-10 record.\nThis year's Hoosier squad enters conference play 6-2 and ready to prove themselves in the Big Ten. \n"We're coming out ready to play, and we're going to win," sophomore Jodi Murphy said. \nIU opens Big Ten play against Iowa and No. 7-ranked Michigan.\nIn the most recent national poll, the Hoosiers are ranked No. 16. IU reached that mark after compiling a 6-2 record -- the best since the program was restarted 2000.\n"It's nice to be ranked, but it doesn't really mean anything," IU coach Amy Robertson said of her team's success. "It's nice to have the respect of other programs, but the real part of the season begins now."\nIU will take on perennial favorite Michigan and Big Ten rival Iowa Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Both teams have had success against IU recently, with a combined mark of 7-1 against the Hoosiers since 2000.\nLast season, the Hoosiers fell in their Big Ten opener to Michigan State 6-0. IU has yet to win a Big Ten opener under Robertson and now must start conference play against powerhouse Michigan for the third time in five years.\n"I feel really confident in the team -- we've been working really hard," Murphy said of the upcoming games. "This has been the best year for IU field hockey, so as for them being ranked, I know we can compete."\nLast year's defeat of Iowa was the Hoosier's first win against a top-ten team. The Hawkeyes lost their first three games to start this season but have bounced back to win three of their last four. Sarah Dawson and Lauren Stiver lead the team from Iowa with a combined 12 goals this season.\nThe Wolverines are coming off a season that saw them reach the NCAA semifinals. Michigan has won five of its last six, including an impressive shutout of No. 8 Northeastern. Seniors Jessica Blake and Adrienne Hortillosa, together have 18 goals and eight assists. \nMichigan coach Marcia Pankratz has a .722 winning percentage in nine seasons in Ann Arbor, Mich., while Iowa coach Tracey Griesbalim is 48-33 in five seasons with the Hawkeyes.\n"We're going to come out and show everyone one that we can compete in the Big Ten," junior Mallory Reabold said. "We have the dedication and talent -- we have the heart and passion to play the game."\n-- Contact staff writer Sam Nissen at scnissen@indiana.edu