Field hockey gets first regular season conference win since 2011

The IU field hockey team gave its seniors a weekend to remember, defeating conference rival Ohio State in overtime 5-4 Saturday. It was IU’s first regular season conference win since the 2011 season.

On Sunday, the Hoosiers also defeated in-state rival Ball State 6-1 on Senior Day.

The Buckeyes took an early lead Saturday in the 24th minute when sophomore back Emma Royce connected on the first shot attempt of the match.

Two minutes later, IU sophomore back Sydney Supica tied the game with her first goal of the day and the final goal of the first half.

Ohio State controlled the early part of the second half, scoring goals in the 36th and 43rd minutes.

IU sophomore back Karen Lorite cut the deficit to one goal when she scored her first goal of the game in the 47th minute.

Just three minutes after the goal by Lorite, the Buckeyes regained a two-goal lead when sophomore forward Peanut Johnson scored in the 50th minute.

The Hoosiers continued the offensive push and were able to cut the deficit to one goal when IU senior back Danielle McNally found the back of the cage in the 58th minute. McNally’s goal made the score of the game 3-4, with the Hoosiers trailing.

With just four minutes remaining in regulation, Ohio native and IU freshman forward Morgan Dye found the back of the cage and sent the match to overtime.

In overtime, junior forward Audra Heilman scored in the 75th minute to give the Hoosiers the win.

IU Coach Amy Robertson said the team spent the week trying to solve its offensive issues, and she thinks the Hoosiers will continue the offensive output for the remainder of the season.

“We made the players accountable,” Robertson said. “If we have a problem, we rely on them to work it out in practice. They are starting to trust themselves and their abilities, and it is paying off.”

On Sunday, the Hoosier seniors defended their home field for the last time, defeating Ball State by a score of 6-1.

The Hoosiers’ offensive attack started quickly, scoring a goal just over eight minutes into the match when Lorite scored from a pass from Heilman.

Three minutes later, Supica scored her first goal of the game off of an assist from senior forward Gaby Olshemski.

Ball State quickly fought back when sophomore midfielder Bethany Han scored unassisted in the 11th minute.

With just under eight minutes remaining in the first half, Lorite scored her second goal of the game to give the Hoosiers a 3-1 lead. That goal would be the final goal of the first half.

Three minutes into the second half, the Hoosiers scored their fourth goal of the game when Lorite assisted Heilman off of a penalty corner.

Two minutes later, Heilman recorded her second assist of the game when she found senior forward Mariella Grote for a shot at the top of the cage.

Both teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the game until Supica scored her second goal of the day off of a penalty corner. McNally and freshman midfielder Hannah McDermott were credited with the assist.

That would be the final goal of the match as the Hoosiers won 6-1.

Boyer, who has been with the field hockey program for five seasons, said she couldn’t believe Senior Day was already over.

“I’m in disbelief and a little bit of denial,” Boyer said. “I wouldn’t trade this for the world. I have had a great experience in the last five years.”

McNally, also a senior, said she had mixed emotions as her last career home game came to a close.

“It’s bittersweet,” McNally said. “The feeling of going 2-0 this weekend was amazing but never being able to play on this field in a game again is difficult. The things the underclassmen did for the seniors today was amazing.”

Follow reporter Dan Matney on Twitter @Dan_Matney.