Hoosiers Drop Overtime Decision, 4-3, at American

Sunday, October 25

Washington, D.C.

12:00 PM

Indiana University

(8-9)

American

(10-6)

OT 3

OT 4

Indiana

American

Hoosiers Drop Overtime Decision, 4-3, at American

10/25/2015 3:33:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Indiana battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the second half, but fell in the overtime period

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the second straight game and the fourth time this season, the Hoosiers went to overtime after 70 minutes of level play. On Friday, against the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins, the Hoosiers ended up on the wrong side of a 1-0 score line.

The Hoosiers (8-9, 4-3 Big Ten) faced a similar fate on Sunday afternoon, a 4-3 overtime loss to the American University Eagles (10-6, 4-1 Patriot League). The Eagles tied the contest on the final play of regulation, an untimed penalty corner, to force the extra two periods. A goal by American forward Natalie Konerth in the 88^th minute sealed the game for the Eagles.

It was a disappointing loss for head coach Amanda Janney and the Hoosiers, especially considering that they trailed 2-0 and battled back to take a lead late in regulation.

"The team was resilient in second half," Janney said. "We found ways to score thanks to some fantastic plays from several players. We're disappointed with this result and Friday's result at Maryland, considering how well we played this weekend."

American scored the first of the game's seven goals in the early stages of the first half. The Eagles earned a penalty corner in the second minute of play, and Konerth sent her attempt into the back of the goal for an early 1-0 American lead.

The Hoosiers responded by dominating the remainder of the first 35 minutes. They earned four penalty corners and attempted seven shots, including a smart attempt by forward Taylor Pearson that almost crossed the goal line. Still, they weren't able to tie things up before the break, and entered halftime down 1-0.

Indiana regrouped in the second half. The Hoosiers conceded another goal in the 42^nd minute, a score by Katie Lonsky from point-blank range. The Hoosiers were quick on the counterattack, however, and halved the deficit two minutes later. Karen Lorite inserted on the Hoosiers' penalty corner, and Kate Barber delivered her signature straight shot in for IU's first goal of the game.

"We definitely didn't come out with our best, but we held our heads high," Pearson said. "Getting that first goal gave us the confidence to score the next two. We showed up in the second half."

Indiana tied the game with 14 minutes remaining in the second half. Nicole Volgraf sent a shot at American keeper Kate McBeath, which she saved. Pearson managed to secure the rebound and fired her shot into the goal, bringing the game to 2-2.

"I knew that we had to get the game tied up," said Pearson, describing her goal-scoring moment. "We forced an intercept at the top of the 'D', and the ball landed in front of me. Fortunately, the shot hit the back of the net."

With a level score line, the game began to open up on both sides. American followed Indiana's goal with a volley of shot attempts on the other end, but the Hoosier defense held strong thanks to a pair of saves by Noëlle Rother and clinical field defending by Barber, Sydney Supica, Malia Fujisawa, and midfielder Mollie Getzfread.

"We had a lot of strong defensive play today, and the team responded in the second half," Janney said. "We made changes from the first half and scored three times in second half, which is very hard to do."

It wasn't long after the Hoosiers' textbook defensive work that they took their first lead of the game. The Hoosiers attempted a series of shots from Lorite and Barber, but both were knocked away by the American defense. As McBeath attempted to distribute the ball from the goal, however, Indiana freshman Claire Woods jumped on her pass attempt. Woods, inches away from the Eagles' keeper, made a quick move to slot her shot in for her first career goal and a 3-2 Indiana lead.

"For a while we've hoped she would score," Pearson said after Woods' first career goal. "She's one of our most consistent players and a huge offensive spark off the bench. Today, she read the play perfectly and put it in the back of the net. We couldn't ask for more, she's been awesome this season."

American, desperate for the tying goal at the end of the second half, earned two penalty corners in the final minute of regulation. On their second corner, an untimed play, Isabel Terwindt sent her shot past Rother to force overtime.

American earned five penalty corners in overtime to Indiana's one. The Eagles scored the game-winner in the 88^th minute of extra time, their third penalty corner score of the game.

Indiana's game against American was their final away game of the 2015 regular season. They return home for their final regular season contest on Friday, October 30, a Big Ten matchup against Rutgers (7-9, 0-7 Big Ten). This game will also be a day of recognition of Indiana's senior class—Karen Lorite, Rachel Stauffer, Sydney Supica, and Nicole Volgraf. The game is set to begin at 3:30 pm ET, and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

"Our senior leadership been great all season. As a first-year coach at Indiana, it has been nice to see them step up with their leadership and set examples for the underclassmen," Janney said on her first senior class as Indiana's head coach. "We're excited to have that come together on Senior Day, on national television and in front of friends and family. We'll continue to improve this week, and we'll have a great game next Friday."