IU Coach Amy Robertson said there was an emphasis placed on scheduling teams outside of IU’s region for 2014.
“To challenge our growth and to reach our goals for the 2014 season, we wanted to put together a tougher schedule and one that included opponents from outside the West region,” Robertson said.
The season will officially begin Aug. 29 against New Hampshire in Louisville, Ky.
New Hampshire finished the 2013-2014 season with a 15-7 record, landing the Wildcats at No. 19 in the national rankings in the past season.
IU’s home opener is Sept. 5 at the IU Field Hockey Complex against the California Golden Bears.
Robertson said IU’s schedule includes some of the best teams in the country.
“This year’s schedule will give us an opportunity to compete against some of the best in the country,” she said. “We have two ACC teams on our schedule next year and one of those, Duke, was the runner up in the National Championship.”
The match against Duke will be one of nine matches against members of the past season’s Top 25 poll.
Conference play begins for the Hoosiers in Iowa City against No. 23 Iowa September 26.
Following the conclusion of the regular season Oct. 31 against Rutgers, the Big Ten Tournament will begin Nov. 6 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
IU will attempt to advance part the first round of the Big Ten Tournament for the second time in three seasons.
Last year, IU’s season ended with a 6-0 loss to Michigan State in the first round.
Dan Matney
