Another 1st: Hoosiers defeat No. 13 Michigan

The season of firsts continued for the IU field hockey team as it emerged from a weekend road trip with two victories, defeating No. 13 Michigan and Kent State University. \nOn Friday, the Hoosiers recorded a 3-1 victory over Michigan, marking the first time the Hoosiers have defeated the Wolverines in six attempts. The win also put the Hoosiers at 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time in the program's six-year history. \n"The win over Michigan is another big milestone for this program," head coach Amy Robertson said. "This has been a season of firsts in many different ways. The key to this win was our effort and intensity."\nThe Hoosiers were led in the victory with goals from senior forward Nikki Orciuch, senior midfielder Lesley Wiler and junior forward Lydia Schrott.\nOrciuch struck first when she recorded a goal in the 19th minute off an assist from senior Kayla Bashore. The Hoosiers took that 1-0 cushion into halftime. \nIn the second half, the Hoosiers' offense began to operate with more consistency, as Wiler and Schrott recorded goals for the Hoosiers in the 42nd and 48th minutes. Sophomores Meredith Brown and Frederique Meeuwsen assisted Wiler's goal, while Bashore recorded her second assist of the game on Schrott's goal.\nWith the score deadlocked at 1-1 after the first half, the Hoosiers once again relied on a strong second half to seal the victory. \nSenior forward Mallory Reabold recorded two goals and an assist for the Hoosiers, with both goals coming in the second half. Orciuch and freshman Katie Kiper also recorded goals in the second half to ensure an IU win. \n"The second half was very key to the win," Bashore said. "We were back on our heels a little at the end of first half, but we stepped it up to start the second half, and that changed the momentum of the whole game." \nThe Hoosier defense allowed only 13 shots, with the Wolverines sneaking a ball into the net in the final minute. Sophomore goal keeper Haley Exner recorded five saves for the Hoosiers.\n"We played with a lot of grit and determination, and that's why we won so many 50-50 balls out there," senior defensive back Morgan Albini said. "It was a tough game and a tough win." \nOn Sunday, the Hoosiers extended their program-best winning streak to seven games with a 5-2 victory over Kent State. The win improved the Hoosiers' overall record to 10-1. \n"We're not intimidated by anyone," Wiler said. "We've finally realized that we're at the same skill level as any team in the Big Ten, if not above them"