Though IU was able to post a 4-2 record through non-conference play last season, it struggled with its conference schedule, completing a 3-9-1 season against conference opposition. There’s a different sense of preparation for this year’s Big Ten slate, IU Coach Amy Berbary said.
“I think it showed our team that we can play with some of the best teams in the country,” Berbary said of her non-conference schedule. “I thought we improved every game, made some major mistakes but, ultimately, we’ve moved forward and are ready for the conference schedule.”
The difference in non-conference rigor between the two years is enormous. In 2014’s campaign, IU did not play a power conference opponent, handling teams such as George Mason University, Dayton University and University of California at Irvine, among others. Berbary made it a point of emphasis to test her team before they face Big Ten opponents each and every weekend.
“I like putting our team in difficult situations,” Berbary said. “I think that’s going to help us grow for the future of this program. Putting them in uncomfortable positions to see how they react is going to help us.”
While this early campaign has featured numerous season-ending injuries, ranked opponents and road trips, the Hoosiers will open up the Big Ten schedule at home for the third straight year.
“It makes it a lot more relaxing,” sophomore forward Kayla Smith said. “You don’t have to worry about traveling or getting your schoolwork done. Now we’ll have our home crowd, and it’s a Big Ten opener so there’s a ton of excitement.”
Berbary, in her third season, has had success against Illinois and Northwestern, teams that come to Bloomington Friday and Sunday, respectively. Berbary’s teams are a combined 3-1 against the Fighting Illini and Wildcats, although the Hoosiers are trying to change their mindset from last season.
“We’ve got to take it one game at a time this year,” Berbary said. “I think last season, we caught ourselves looking too far ahead. I know it’s cliché, but we really have to only look at the game that is ahead of us and prepare for each and every game individually.”
Smith, who assisted in senior midfielder Jessie Bujouves’ game-tying goal Sunday against Ball State, also echoed her coach’s thought process as IU looks to start its Big Ten slate with a win.
“Coming into this weekend, we really just have to focus one game at a time, especially the Friday game,” Smith said. “Winning one game a weekend is key; winning two is the best. We’re really focusing on Illinois right now, and we’ll worry about wNorthwestern when it comes.”
