Indiana Falls 2-1 to No. 18 Michigan

Sunday, October 4

Ann Arbor, MI

1:00 PM

Indiana University

(6-5, 2-1Big Ten)

Michigan

(9-3, 3-1Big Ten)

Indiana

Michigan

10/4/2015 4:12:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

The Hoosiers are 2-1 in Big Ten play after a strong effort at Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Hoosiers' four-game winning streak came to a halt on Sunday afternoon in a 2-1 loss to No. 18 Michigan. After starting 2-0 in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers (6-5, 2-1) lost an even match in which they came up on the wrong side of the result.

Rather than hanging their heads, the Hoosiers are looking at the positive elements of the hard-fought contest. They're disappointed with the outcome, but encouraged by the team's effort in the game.

"The team played hard today," said Indiana head coach Amanda Janney. "I'm happy with fight, and to get that goal so early in the second half was important for us. I was encouraged by our team's ability to play so strongly in the second half."

Indiana goalkeeper Noëlle Rother was the standout player in the match on both sides of the field. She tallied four saves on top of a countless number of deflections, parries, and re-distributions, breaking up several Michigan attacks.

The true freshman has grown into one of the best keepers in the Big Ten, and become an integral part of this Indiana defense.

"She really keeps us calm in the backfield, especially with her ability to stop shots on corners," senior defender Sydney Supica said of her teammate. "There's a sense of safety when she's behind us in net."

From the start of the first half, it was easy to see the speed on both sides of the field. Indiana and Michigan played all-out on defense, as scoring chances were at a premium. The Hoosiers earned their first opportunity at seven minutes on a penalty corner, but Karen Lorite's attempt on the rebound went over the goal.

The lone goal in the first half came after a diving save from Rother. when Indiana conceded a penalty stroke to the Wolverines on a foul inside the half circle. Michigan's MacKenzie Ellis stepped up to the spot, and delivered her stroke low to Rother's right side. Rother dove the right way, but Ellis' shot slotted past Rother's attempt for the 1-0 Wolverine lead.

Indiana's message at halftime was the same as it has been all season—don't dwell on the previous 35 minutes, and figure out how to win the next 35. The Hoosiers shot out of a cannon after the break, earning a penalty corner in the first two minutes.

Maddie Latino entered the corner for Mollie Getzfread, who stopped the ball for Kate Barber. Barber sent her strike low to the post, where took a deflection from the saving attempt by Sam Swenson for the 1-1 equalizer.

"It gives us a lot of energy," Supica said regarding the impact of Barber's goal. "Scoring that quickly after the break gives energy to the whole team. It was a great team effort that helped us continue through the rest of the game."

Michigan turned up the pressure on Indiana's defense following the Hoosiers' tying goal. The Wolverines earned four penalty corners in the next ten minutes, and fired five shots at the Indiana goal, but the IU defense held strongly to the tie.

The Wolverines' game-winner came with 12 minutes to play in the second half, when Michigan entered their fifth penalty corner of the half. Rother made the initial save, but Michigan's Shannon Scavelli grabbed the rebound and delivered it into the back of the goal.

Indiana fought valiantly for the final stretch of the game, even pulling Rother from the goal to bolster the Hoosier attack, but Michigan held on for the final 2-1 result.

"Overall we played well," Supica said. "We could've come out stronger at the beginning, and converting one of our early chances would've helped us in the end. Above that, we relied on our style of hockey, rather than catering to theirs, and we found success."

The Hoosiers return for a short week of practice before heading into one of the toughest weekends of their season.

On Friday, October 9, Indiana plays their second straight Big Ten game on the road in Michigan, as they travel to East Lansing to square off against the Spartans of Michigan State (4-8, 1-3). Two days later, the Hoosiers will host the undefeated and second-ranked Syracuse Orange (10-0, 3-0).

Coach Janney and the Hoosiers are anxious to return to practice, where they can prepare for the weekend ahead.

"We're happy to get a Big Ten game that Friday," Janney said. "It's a must-win game for us against Michigan State in order to get good momentum heading into Syracuse. We're looking forward to playing the #2 team in the country so we can show that we compete with the best."