Hoosiers end home stand with Big Ten debut

The IU women's field hockey team wraps up its five-game home stand with a pair of matches against Michigan State University and Lindenwood University this weekend. \nThe No. 11 Hoosiers are 6-1 overall and hope to remain undefeated at Mellencamp Pavilion, where they are 3-0 this year.\nAlthough this weekend marks the end of the longest home stand for the Hoosiers, it also marks the beginning of the Big Ten season, as IU welcomes the No. 6 ranked Spartans. \nIU head coach Amy Robertson said she believes her team is more confident heading into conference play than in recent years.\n"We have a better sense of our ability, and with so many upperclassmen, we know what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten," Robertson said. \nThe Hoosiers have never defeated Michigan State in eight attempts. The most recent loss occurring at the 2004 Big Ten Conference tournament when the Spartans knocked out the Hoosiers, 2-1. The Spartans went on to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.\nDespite the Hoosiers' 0-8 record against the Spartans, senior forward Mallory Reabold said she believes the Hoosiers' confidence is undeterred. \n"We're not nervous at all. We're excited to start the Big Ten season," she said. "Every year we gain confidence, and this year it's exceptional. We know we have the potential to be a great team."\nWhile the 7-2 Spartans could prove to be the toughest test the Hoosiers face at home this year, senior midfielder Lesley Wiler said she believes her team is prepared to start the Big Ten season against a solid opponent.\n"I think we're definitely ready to play Michigan State," Wiler said. "We just need to work on maintaining possession of the ball and stepping up the defensive pressure."\nRobertson said she doesn't place much stock in rankings, but did acknowledge that she relishes the role of being the perceived underdog to the Spartans.\n"I prefer to play a Big Ten team that's ranked ahead of us. I think it gives us a definite edge," Robertson said. \nSunday, the Hoosiers' home stand wraps up against the Lindenwood Lions. Although the Lions are a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school, this marks the fourth straight season in which the Hoosiers and Lions have squared off. IU leads the series 3-0. \n"We like to play Lindenwood because they offer a different style of play because they have a lot of international players," Robertson said. "They're always a good opponent."\nThe Hoosiers take on the Spartans at 1 p.m. Saturday before facing Lindenwood at 2 p.m. Sunday.