Indiana Falls 1-0 at #6 Stanford

Friday, September 4

Stanford, CA

6:00 PM

Indiana University

(1-2)

Stanford

(2-1)

Indiana

Stanford

9/4/2015 11:35:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

The Hoosiers stifled one of the top offenses in the country and nearly emerged victorious

Stanford, Calif. – The Indiana field hockey team completed its first of three games on their California road trip, which began in Stanford against the No. 6 Cardinal. The Cardinal won 1-0, but according to the Hoosiers, the score line was not indicative of the team's performance.

"It was disappointing to not see the result go our way," said Indiana head coach Amanda Janney. "We felt that we outplayed our opponent today, but the result didn't go our way. I'm really proud of how we played."

In many aspects of the box score, the Hoosiers and Cardinal were as even as could be. Stanford managed to fire just two more shots than Indiana, but both teams had the same number of shots on target. The goalkeepers, Stanford's Dulcie Davies and Indiana's Noëlle Rother, were within one save of each other on the final tally. In fact, the Hoosiers earned more scoring opportunities from corners than the No. 6 Cardinal.

According to Janney, those numbers are indicative of the team's efficient preparation in their shortened practice week.

"We made a lot of changes to our tactics and strategies that put a lot of pressure on them," Janney said regarding Indiana's ability to keep the game nearly even. "We kept them from playing their game."

Indiana's players responded well to what was called of them this week, according to Janney. The players, including junior captain Kate Barber, agreed that this week's practice sessions paid in full. "We successfully implemented a lot of our work from practice this past week, including pressing on the attack," Barber said. "I feel that we executed very well."

Indiana didn't pull any punches on the attack in the early going. The Hoosiers amassed five shots and three corner opportunities in the first 15 minutes of play, keeping the Cardinal on their toes. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, Stanford's Maddie Secco slipped the Cardinal's fifth shot past the goal line in the 24^th minute. Due to the even nature of the contest, Secco's center-cage goal decided the 1-0 outcome.

Despite the disappointing result, which included a couple of waved-off goals scored by the Hoosiers, Indiana gained a new sense of confidence. They proved to themselves, and the rest of the country, that Indiana Field Hockey can run with the best of them.

Stanford may have a higher ranking, but the Hoosiers believe that the Cardinal got away with a big win.

"We have great momentum coming our way," Barber said, holding her head high. "The game didn't go in our favor, but now we're fired up and ready for our remaining games this weekend."

Indiana (1-2) continues their California campaign with a matchup against the Pacific Tigers (1-2) on Saturday, September 5 in Stockton, Calif. Indiana are 5-0 all-time against the Tigers, and will hope to build on their ever-increasing momentum. The game commences at 6:00 p.m. ET, and will be available to watch via live stream.

Find the link to Indiana @ Pacific here.