Hoosiers Wrap Preseason With 6-2 Win Over Ball State

Saturday, August 19

Bloomington, IN

1 PM

Indiana University

Ball State (Scrimmage)

Hoosiers Wrap Preseason With 6-2 Win Over Ball State

8/19/2017 6:27:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers concluded their preseason training with their second of two weekend scrimmages, this time against Ball State at the IU Field Hockey Complex. Junior forward Claire Woods led five Indiana scorers with two goals and the Hoosiers won the regulation and overtime periods, 6-2.

The performance by Woods was especially encouraging given that she missed the entirety of the 2016 season to injury. Today the Saint Louis native looked like she was in midseason form after a pair of first half goals.

Woods launched the Hoosiers to an early lead in the 18^th minute. Rylee Pearson delivered an entry from the right wing and Woods one-timed her attempt high into the cage, where her shot tapped the goalkeeper before finding the net. The setup was Pearson's second assist in the scrimmage weekend.

The Hoosiers doubled that lead just a minute later on Elle Hempt's successful penalty corner hit. Nora Aucker's insert found Taylor Swope on the stop, and Hempt sent the shot away from the charging defense.

The Cardinals jumped back into the contest with a 25^th minute goal, but the Hoosiers were quick on the counter and scored a minute later. Kelsey Giese drove into the circle and, with her back to the defender, turned and hammered a shot. The ball ricocheted off of both goalposts before crossing the line.

Woods doubled up her goal haul in the 29^th minute by sending in a rebounded save, giving the Hoosiers a 4-1 lead at intermission.

Aucker began the second half with a deft display of hand-eye coordination, which led to her third goal of the preseason. The junior captain inserted a corner to Ciara Girouard for a hit near the top of the circle. When Girouard's shot slipped just left of frame, Aucker arrived for a precise redirect.

The Cardinals added another goal to their tally in the 57^th minute, ending the regulation period with the Hoosiers on top at 5-2.

Despite the positive result, the Hoosiers didn't back off in the bonus overtime period. Indiana drew four penalty corners in the 15 minutes, the last of which found its target.

Indiana drew that corner with just seconds remaining on the clock, meaning that the result of the action would be the last in the game. Indiana set the corner for Giese, who whipped her hit towards Maddie Latino's stick. Latino's redirect sailed over the block attempt and into the net, ending the scrimmage with a bang and a 6-2 score line.

Follow Indiana Field Hockey on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.

#GoIU