Hoosiers Top Ohio, 3-2, in Return to Home Turf

Sunday, October 8

Bloomington, IN

2 PM

Indiana University

(6-8)

Ohio

(3-10)

Ohio

Indiana

10/8/2017 5:40:00 PM | Field Hockey

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Swope sparks high-scoring day with her first goal of the season

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana's field hockey team snapped their losing streak with a 3-2 win over Ohio at the IU Field Hockey Complex, their final non-conference game of the season. The Hoosiers (6-8) utilized a diverse attack with goals from three different players to edge the Bobcats (3-10), improving their home record to 4-1 on the season.

"The team has been so hungry for a win, so it's good for us to see our hard work show up on the scoreboard today," said Indiana head coach Amanda Janney. "We had some brilliant moments of strong play from so many different players today, like Taylor Swope stepping up to make huge intercepts and breaking up defensive corners before scoring her first goal of the season."

Junior midfielder Taylor Swope rose to the challenge and broke the 0-0 deadlock with her first goal of the season. Sophomore Kelsey Giese regained Indiana's lead with a superb hit on a penalty corner, assisted by Claire Woods, and Ciara Girouard slotted the game winner on a penalty stroke for her sixth goal of the year.

Indiana's defensive unit conceded just four penalty corners and five shots on target, with senior Katie Johnson stepping up for three saves in the cage.

The Hoosiers won the battle for the game's crucial first goal after 11 minutes of pressure in their offensive third. Swope made sense of a deflection in the circle, hammering her attempt across to mark her second career goal. The score was a rewarding result for the Cincinnati native after a stellar weekend in the wide midfield.

"I think she's stepped up to the challenge we've placed on the midfielders, to be more aggressive and find ways to score. That she got in there and started us off with a goal is a summation of the work she's put in during practice."

Following a sublime drag-flick goal from Ohio's Kendall Ballard in the 20^th minute, Indiana sought a response to regain the lead before halftime. They found it on a penalty corner in the 23^rd minute after Woods received a pass from the main battery unit. Woods slipped the ball left to Giese, who lined up in the middle of the circle for a blast into the boards. The goal gave Giese her second score this season, while Woods picked up her third point of the weekend.

"We were connecting really well," Giese said. "One of our main points of focus was connecting from the backline through the midfield and forward line, because we've been missing that the last few games. We were working off of each other well with unselfish play today."

Senior Maddie Latino created problems for Ohio's backline all afternoon, and she drew a penalty stroke with a charge to the circle in the 28^th minute. The Hoosiers brought Griouard onto the turf to take the stroke and she converted it with aplomb, flicking a skillful shot above the goalkeeper's save attempt. The goal was Girouard's first career game-winner and the Hoosiers' first penalty stroke goal of the season.

"She's such a strong player with a strong flick, and we're glad to see her execute," Janney said on the decision to send Girouard to the stroke spot. "That's a difficult shot in rainy weather because the ball can slip, but she's one of those athletes that can handle a big shot under pressure."

The Bobcats turned up the pressure late in the second half, as Maria Russell scored on a penalty corner in the 64^th minute. Johnson parried the straight hit from the corner insert, but the Bobcats engulfed the rebound and put it away. Indiana's defense held strong for the final five minutes, preventing the Bobcats from registering another shot.

Up Next: Indiana (6-8, 0-4) vs. #4 Michigan (11-2, 5-0)
Friday, Oct. 13 • 3:00 p.m. ET • Bloomington, Ind. • IU Field Hockey Complex
Live on BTN Plus • Live Stats • @HoosiersFH on Twitter

Indiana (6-8, 0-4) vs. Michigan State (6-7, 1-3)
Sunday, Oct. 15 • 11:50 a.m. ET • Bloomington, Ind. • IU Field Hockey Complex
Live on BTN Plus • Live Stats • @HoosiersFH on Twitter

The Hoosiers gear up for a loaded Big Ten schedule with two home games on Indiana University's homecoming weekend. They begin on Friday afternoon with Michigan, unbeaten in the Big Ten and the highest-ranked team in the conference. Last year, Indiana stunned the Wolverines at Ocker Field with a 1-0 win.

After that, they clash with Michigan State in their first A.M. start of the season. Battles between the Hoosiers and Spartans have been tense of late, as the last three games have been decided by one goal. This contest is of significance to assistant coach Becky Stiles as she patrols the sidelines against her alma mater for the first time in her coaching career.

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