Hoosiers hope to avenge earlier loss to Northwestern

The IU field hockey season might come down to one more game. At 2:30 p.m. today, the Hoosiers will face the Northwestern Wildcats in the Big Ten tournament.

IU Coach Amy Robertson said the team will carry a persistent mindset into the upcoming game against the Wildcats. She also said the team will look for payback since it lost the last contest against Northwestern.

“We still have unfinished business,” Robertson said. “The girls are willing to put it out there one more time and see if we can get some retribution with a huge
upset.”

The last time the Hoosiers faced the Wildcats was Oct. 12 at Northwestern, where they lost 4-0. Although the team failed to score a goal, Robertson noted that her team made a few mistakes, and she thought they didn’t play that bad of a game.

However, Robertson said in order for the team to have a different outcome in today’s game, everyone has to be on the same page and give relentless effort.

“We can’t have just a few people have a good game, we need to do it together,” she said. “It means playing your role, being where you are supposed to be and having the fight and mentality that you’re not going to stop until you get what you want.”

Robertson discussed a theme at practice called “Support Your Fellow
Hoosier.” She said the theme was about supporting your teammates at all times on the field.

She also said the support makes it easier for a player to attack the opposition because you know your teammates will be there to help.

Robertson said she feels pretty fortunate that her team is in the Big Ten Conference because no matter what the record is, you get a chance to play, and her team is very eager for the chance.

“The team seems really excited,” Robertson said.“There are a lot of teams in the country where their season is already over. There’s nothing but a feeling of fortune on our side, so let’s take advantage of this opportunity.”

She said that after every game, her players wish they could play that team again. Now, their wishes have been granted.

Robertson compared the tournament to a new season, and she mentioned the only pressure her team feels comes from within.

“The only pressure is the commitment of going into this game despite a lack of success in Big Ten games and still believe we can win one,” Robertson said. “We’re going to take it one game at a time. We can’t focus on Friday, just Thursday.”