With post-season looming, Hoosiers enter home stretch

With three games remaining in the regular season, the IU women's soccer team (6-8-1, 2-5 Big Ten) needs two wins to qualify for the Big Ten tournament.\nTo some, that might cause a sense of panic. But the Hoosiers, who welcome Illinois (8-4-3, 4-2-1 Big Ten) and Iowa (2-10-4, 0-5-2 Big Ten) to Bill Armstrong Stadium this weekend, remain focused and steadfast.\n"Our resolve is strong," IU head coach Mick Lyon said. "We approach this weekend just like we have every game this season. We can only go one game at a time, take care of business in each game as it comes and see what happens from there."\nAs the Hoosiers have found in all of their Big Ten matchups this season, the competition this weekend will be fierce. Illinois comes into Friday's game riding an unbeaten streak against IU in the last five meetings between the two. \nAnd playing a winless Big Ten team like Iowa does not guarantee a victory. The Hoosiers found that out last weekend when they became the first team to lose to Northwestern in Big Ten play. \n"Both games will be tough," senior midfielder Kristen Zmijewski said. "We will have to step up. But the mentality of this team all season has been to rise to the occasion when things get tough."\nZmijewski said the Hoosiers hope to take advantage of playing at home, where they have won four of six games this season.\n"(Playing at home) is definitely an advantage," she said. "We know our field and our strengths and weaknesses on it. Plus not having to travel means we stay in our routine, not to mention having fans in the stands supporting us."\nPlaying at home might be advantageous for the Hoosiers, but freshman midfielder Molly Kruger knows the team's play on the field will need to be flawless.\n"We are all going to have to be on top of our game," she said. "One or two slips could cost us. We need to be mentally and physically prepared and play to our potential."\nSenior goalkeeper Lauren Fabbro also stressed the need for perfection during the home stretch of the season. Fabbro and fellow goalkeeper sophomore Stacey Van Boxmeer have recorded a 1.50-goals-against average this season, while the team is averaging just more than one goal per game. Given those numbers, Fabbro knows her duty to protect the net is of utmost importance.\n"We have to be as close to perfect on both ends of the field," she said. "It will take us working for each other, putting balls in the net and playing tough defense."\nGiven the tough competition and need for perfect play, when asked if the Hoosiers would make it to the Big Ten tournament, Lyon, Zmijewski, Kruger and Fabbro all responded with one word: "Definitely"