IU field hockey came away from its opening weekend with a win and a loss.
The team lost to No. 12 Louisville, 5-1, at home but defeated Ohio in an overtime showdown on the road, 3-2.
During the game against the Cardinals, the Hoosiers went down early after a goal by Louisville forward Marigrace Ragsdale. IU would tie the game after a goal from freshman Sam Scire before the 10-minute mark, but a superior Louisville squad took advantage of its penalty corners and led 3-1 at the half.
The Cardinals kept it up in the second half and added two more goals.
Junior forward Maddie Latino said the Hoosiers did not adapt quickly to the playing style the Cardinals presented and IU could have done a better job when pressing its rivals.
“We have a variety of players playing different positions. These are all learning experiences for us,” IU Coach Amanda Janney said. “We will move forward. I really like the character the players showed in the last 12 minutes.”
The negative result in the first match of the season did not stop the Hoosiers from getting back on their feet and snatching a victory on the road Sunday.
IU traveled to Athens, Ohio, to face Ohio at Pruitt Field, and, thanks to a remarkable performance by junior forward Kate Barber, the Hoosiers were able to defeat the Bobcats.
“I think the team just kept fighting. We looked like a new team in the second half,” Janney said. “We had a lot of good attacking today.”
In the first half of the game against Ohio, IU found itself having trouble with the offensive line and conceded two goals in the first 25 minutes of the game.
The Hoosiers were down just one at halftime because of a goal from senior defender Kate Barber on a penalty corner and in the second half ripped several shots at the Bobcat defense.
Nearly out of time, with just a minute remaining, IU’s Barber scored her second goal of the game and forced overtime.
Overtime came and went quickly, as it took just 23 seconds for Barber to score the game-winner and complete her hat trick.
“It is always a great feeling. I know we have a lot of girls who are capable of doing the same,” Barber said. “I am hoping to give them the chance to take those opportunities.”
IU will face No. 7 Wake Forest and UC Davis next, both on the road.
“I hope we can take the momentum next weekend against a team,” Barber said. “We are going to be challenged, but hopefully our resilience can keep us in the game so we can win.”
