Women's soccer returns to the field after 10-day rest

IU women’s soccer team will be back at Bill Armstrong Stadium for another Big Ten competition after a 10-day break.

The Hoosiers (4-9-1) will play host to Michigan on Sunday, a team who is also seeking for its first Big Ten win this season. The Wolverines have an all-time 10-4-3 advantage against the Hoosiers. The last match up between the two teams was a 0-0 tie that went into double overtime on Oct. 18, 2009.

A year later, the younger Hoosiers are struggling in the conference and figuring out how to translate their work ethics into a productive output.

“Our attitude was great,” IU coach Mick Lyon said, “The girls played hard on the field, and so they did in the practice. But we still need to have a sense of urgency in the game.”

By that, Lyon said the Hoosiers have to make quick judgment and reactions to the intentions of the opposing team.

“We’ve missed some good chances that we could have scored in the last a few games, so we have to push the other team harder and urge the turnovers,” he said.

The Hoosiers had last weekend off and have been training every day this week except Thursday. Lyon said the team has been focusing on some fitness training to maintain the physical level, and he is not worried about that.

“We have played a lot of physical games so far,” Lyon said, “Teams such as Purdue and Northwestern play very physical. So does Michigan. So we have to make sure we are ready.”

Junior defender Margo McAuley and sophomore forward Ciersten Burks missed their first games this season against Purdue last Thursday  due to injury. But Lyon said the situation looks better now.

“Margo will definitely be good to play, and Ciersten might be as well,” Lyon said, “The health condition is pretty good on the team.”