Hoosiers play Penn State, return for Pacific on senior day

IU field hockey plays two different teams in its last weekend in Bloomington.

IU has only beat Penn State once in its last 10 tries. The team also plays Pacific this weekend, a team they have won against all three times they played.

The No. 20 Hoosiers (9-5, 2-2) face Penn State (5-10, 1-3) on Friday and Pacific (3-8, 2-3 in the NorPac conference) on Sunday for senior day.

Seven seniors are graduating this year, which is the biggest class since 2005.
“The younger players look up to them because of what they’ve done on the field and in the classroom,” IU coach Amy Robertson said.

Midfielder Meg O’Connell and defender Lucy Ireland made the NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star roster, which awards their success on the field.

“Penn State is a very attacking team on the field, when we play them,” Ireland said.
Penn State won last year’s game against IU 0-1 University Park, Pa.

“Penn State has a lot of talent, but have had some inconsistencies in executing their strategy,” Robertson said.

Penn State forward Jessica Longstreth leads the Nittany Lions with five goals on the season.

Longstreth’s scoring will pose a test for junior goalkeeper Alex Mann, last week’s Big Ten Defensive player of the Week.

Last year, IU beat Pacific 4-3 in double overtime at a neutral site.

Pacific senior forward Kiddy Leubane, senior midfielder Kim Keyawa and senior defender Lisa Muhl are all tied for the team’s lead in goals with four thus far this season.

“I think we need to focus on our defense and compete for every ball on the field for both games,” Robertson said.