IU field hockey wrapped up its season on Oct. 27 with a first-round loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament.
The Hoosiers lost 3-1 to Ohio State in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the Buckeyes jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. That lead continued to 3-0 before IU pulled a goal back in the second half.
Senior midfielder Maddie Latino scored her 10th goal of the season for IU. Latino became the fourth IU field hockey player to record 10 or more goals in multiple seasons after her tally in the 53rd minute.
Latino still has one more game in her college career, as she will be participating in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Senior All-Star game for her talents on the turf this year. The game will be played Nov. 17 in Louisville, Kentucky.
As far as the loss to Ohio State, Latino's goal came during one of IU's rare offensive attacks.
IU was outshot 24-9 overall in the game. Ohio State also had an 18-5 advantage in shots on goal.
The loss means IU finishes the season with a 6-13 overall record and a 0-8 record in Big Ten Conference games, with that conference mark not including the loss to Ohio State. IU went 1-10 in its final 11 games.
IU also went 1-10 against ranked teams this season, with the lone win coming against No. 15 Wake Forest in September.
The record was a bit of a regression from the 2016 season when the Hoosiers won eight games overall and three games in conference play.
This year’s team featured 16 underclassmen, who gained experience against traditional field hockey schools in true road games.
In addition to Latino, IU will be losing several other seniors as well — goalkeeper Katie Johnson, forward Abby Urbanek, forward Cameron Gibson, midfielder Taylor Pearson and defender Elle Hempt
With IU losing its star goalkeeper as well as its captain, Hempt, on defense, the Hoosiers will have a lot of work to do going into next season.
Look to see sophomore midfielder Ciara Girouard become the center of the Hoosiers attack, freshman forward Bente Buwalda have a breakout season and freshman goalkeeper Sachi Ananias hold it down in goal next season.
