Field hockey looks to continue offensive outburst

The IU women’s field hockey team faces another set of home games this weekend, as the Hoosiers play host to Missouri State Friday and Robert Morris Sunday.

Junior Forward Audra Heilman will be a player to watch for Indiana after she recorded her first career hat trick against St. Louis last Friday and she was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week.

“It’s a very big honor,” Heilman said. “I was just doing my role, and I just so happened to get that. It feels good.”

IU Coach Amy Robertson praised Heilman for all of her hard work and dedication not only this year, but throughout her entire career as a Hoosier.

“She’s the kind of player who just works as hard as she can all of the time,” Robertson said. “She’s so determined to become the best she can be. She pushes herself to her limit everyday. That’s how tough of an athlete she is.”

Robertson also said Heilman’s competitive nature has led to her emergence this season.

“She loves playing and to compete,” Robertson said. “It carries over to the rest of the team. She works so hard. It’s great to see her get the recognition she deserves.”

Missouri State has started the season with a 1-3 record, with its single win coming from Pacific. Missouri State allows four points a game on average, while scoring just one point per game on average.

On defense, the Hoosiers will need to contain sophomore defender Liz Young and senior forward Hillary Lawless, two of the teams’ leading scorers.

After an offensive explosion last weekend where the Hoosiers scored 14 points in two games, they will be facing Missouri State goalkeeper Andrea Bain, who has allowed 16 goals this year, including 10 in the last two games.

Robert Morris has started the season with a 3-1 record, with all four of its games coming on the road. Robert Morris has a defense that doesn’t allow a lot of points; they have allowed just two goals this season, including shutting out their opponents three times in four games.

Colonial’s junior midfielder Jamie Hartley, who has scored three goals this season, including two against St. Louis, leads the team’s offensive attack.

Heilman said that the Hoosiers effort offensively will be a key to the weekend’s games.
 
“We need to attack,” Heilman said. “We need to try to get corners and shots and just go all out.”

Robertson said ball movement is the main focus, especially for the game against Robert Morris.

“We need to move the ball,” Robertson said. “We need to attack their weak spots and we need to have the mindset to finish once we get into the circle.”

Robertson also said limiting turnovers will be very important.

“We will be looking for opportunities where we can get an edge,” she said. “We love playing teams that have been successful, it makes us better and gives us a challenge. It brings out the best in us.”

Follow reporter Dan Matney on Twitter @Dan_Matney.