IU extends win streak against Wildcats

Each time the IU field hockey team wins, a record seems to be broken. Saturday proved to be no exception when the Hoosiers defeated Northwestern 3-1.\nThe victory extended the Hoosiers' record-winning streak to eight games and marked the first time IU has won three consecutive Big Ten games. Saturday's defeat of Northwestern was the first time a Hoosier team defeated the Wildcats and also improved IU's home record to 6-0 this season.\nThe Hoosiers struck first when senior midfielder Kayla Bashore was able to convert a blocked shot from senior Mallory Reabold into the first IU goal in the 16th minute. Sophomore forward Kate O'Connell added the second Hoosier goal in the 24th minute. The Wildcats responded with their only goal of the afternoon just before halftime. \nIn the second half, the Hoosiers stepped up the defensive intensity, and Bashore added her second goal of the game in the 47th minute. The Hoosiers blanked the Wildcats in the second half, and the 3-1 score proved to be the winning margin. \nIU head coach Amy Robertson said the key to the victory was the team's increase in energy and intensity in the second half.\n"I think we made a really good adjustment in the second half," Robertson said. "They were all over us in the first half, and we really didn't have our rhythm yet. It was a completely different game the second half, and even though we only scored one goal, we played a much better game."\nBashore, who netted her ninth and 10th goals of the season, agreed with Robertson's assessment of the match.\n"I think we were taken aback by Northwestern's aggressiveness at first -- they've been the most aggressive team we have faced this season," Bashore said. \nThe Hoosier defense was able to limit Northwestern to one goal on the strength of sophomore goalkeeper Haley Exner's eight saves.\n"I feel confident in my defense and the whole team, and I think that confidence in our abilities allows me to play better," Exner said. \nThe Hoosier defensive backs, led by junior Morgan Miller, sophomore Erin Isler and junior April Levins, who subbed in for injured senior Morgan Albini, were integral in maintaining defensive pressure on the Wildcats.\nThe Hoosiers improved their record to 11-1 overall, 3-0 in the Big Ten, and will look to extend their win streak Tuesday when they welcome the University of Louisville to Bloomington.