Hoosiers host No. 7 ranked Spartans

When the IU field hockey team takes on No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday at the IU Field Hockey Field, the Hoosiers will be looking for their first Big Ten win of the season and a measure of revenge for last season. \nLast year, Michigan State handed IU two of its five losses, including a 3-1 victory in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, ending IU’s season. \n“Michigan State has always been a great program,” senior back Erin Isler said. “They have had some very good teams in the past, and we feel like we’re finally to the point where we’re on the same level with them. We are looking for a bit of redemption to prove we can play at that level.”\nThe Hoosiers (6-7, 0-4) have found the going tough all year long in the Big Ten. Two of IU’s conference losses came in overtime against No. 4 Michigan and No. 5 Iowa, and the other losses came to Ohio State and No. 9 Penn State.\nWith two conference games remaining, the Hoosiers hope they can gain some confidence before the Big Ten Tournament. \n“We still have two huge Big Ten games left,” senior midfielder Margie Stoll said. “Hopefully we can get two wins and have some momentum before we head into the Big Ten Tournament. I think we just need to play how we know how and concentrate on our game.”\nIU coach Amy Robertson said she is pleased with the growth of the team throughout the season. \n“I think this team has shown the most growth of any team I’ve coached,” she said. “We’ve had to fix some things in practice, but we get better each time we’re on the field. The focus hasn’t been as much on game results as it has been on moment-to-moment results.”\nIn the 1-0 overtime loss to Michigan last Friday, Robertson said she was impressed with her team’s performance and hopes it will carry over to the game against Michigan State.\n“We showed really good energy until that overtime period,” she said. “We played with complete and comprehensive determination, and we looked really confident on the field. I think we need to bring that again in this game. Once you experience that, it is easier to recall it again when you’re out on the field.”\nDespite the two losses at the hands of Michigan State last year, Robertson said the Hoosiers won’t focus too much on redeeming themselves this year.\n“It will be a little extra motivation, but I don’t think we will make it too important,” she said. “It’s another big game, and we just have to take care of ourselves. I think we’re playing some of our best hockey and it’s a good time for that.”