Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Upsets No. 20 Ohio State (10-05-02)
10/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
October 5, 2002
Bloomington, IN - The Indiana field hockey team defeated No. 20-ranked Ohio State this afternoon in Mellencamp Pavilion, 3-2. This is the first Big Ten win for the Hoosiers since the inception of the program in 2000. The team extended its record to 3-8, 1-1-0 in the Big Ten, as the Buckeyes dropped to 4-7, 0-2-0 in the conference.
"We started out on a mission," head coach Amy Robertson said. "Our first two goals were pure emotion. We continued to hang in there after Ohio State scored their goals. We maintained our poise and used the clock better than in the game against Louisville. We were due for the win."
It was apparent that the Hoosiers were excited to be on their home field after playing their last six games on the road. Right from the blow of the whistle IU was on attack. The Hoosiers first goal came quick as Erica Nilsson immediately received a pass from Ryan Woolsey and slammed the ball past goalkeeper Lara Koole only 3:27 into the game to put Indiana on the scoreboard, 1-0.
Thirteen minutes later the Hoosiers tallied their second goal of the game, to take a 2-0 lead. Kayla Bashore set up the goal for Mallory Reabold off of a free hit going into the Hooisers' circle. Reabold one-time the pass from Bashore, recording her second goal of the season.
The day continued to get better for IU, when at the 20:40 mark, goalkeeper Molly Pulkrabek broke her own record set in 2001 for most saves in a season. Pulkrabek made her 86th save of the season by knocking down a shot taken by Buckeye Deen Rebstock. Pulkrabek continued to play hard the rest of the half, stopping a total of four Ohio State shots.
"It is always great to achieve a goal like this one," Pulkrabek said.
The Hoosiers entered intermission with a 2-0 lead over the Buckeyes.
The second half started off much like the first. IU came off the break with energy and a will to win. The last Hoosiers goal of the afternoon came only 54 seconds into the half. Freshman Nikki Orciuch rebounded her own shot off of the goalkeepers pads and pushed the ball past Lara Koole, giving IU a 3-0 advantage.
"I worked really hard for that goal," Orciuch said. "I really deserved it. When it came back to me I knew it was meant for me, and I knew I had to score. I used that and went for it."
Hungry to defend its No. 20 ranking, OSU raised its level of play and instantly became more aggressive. The Buckeyes' first goal of the game came off of a penalty stroke taken by Vanessa Immordino at the 38:23 mark. Immordino placed the ball into the upper left side of the cage by a diving Pulkrabek, making the score 3-1.
OSU never gave up and continued to battle against the Hoosiers. Mariana Solorzano brought the Buckeyes within one off of a penalty corner, 12:03 remaining in the game. Stacey Todd passed the ball to the top of the circle, Jenee Doto made the stick stop, and Solorzano drove the ball into the cage.
For the remainder of the game, the Hoosier defense never let up. They played with heart and were determined to get the win.
"The last five minutes were nerve-racking," Pulkrabek said. Being the last leg of the defense, it is important for the team to listen to me. They did just that, and finished the game the way it needed to be finished," Pulkrabek said.
The Hoosiers are back on the road, Oct. 12, to face No. 5 Michigan State. The game will be played at 1:00 EST.
