Indiana University Athletics
Field Hockey Downs Miami in Season Opener
8/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oxford, Ohio - Indiana came away with the win in its season opener, 4-1 against the RedHawks of Miami University (Ohio). This is the first time in three seasons that the Hoosiers beat the RedHawks. To make the win even more satisfying, the Hoosiers tied their record for most goals scored in a game.
Jessica Sailing opened up the scoring for Miami, 4:35 remaining in the first half with a scramble in front of the cage. The Hoosiers went into intermission down 1-0.
The pace of the game changed drastically in the beginning of the second half as Erica Nilsson tied the score at one a piece off an assist from Kimberly Nash, 1:59 into the half. The Hoosiers continued to dominate offensively from that point on.
"After we scored the first goal I wasn't worried about letting up," head coach Amy Robertson said. "I had a good feeling that we would be attacking the rest of the game. Our goal allowed us to relax and it also gave us confidence. You could really see the demeanor of the team change."
Kayla Bashore broke the tie off a lifted shot into the cage. Miami head coach Lil Fesperman immediately called a time out to gather her team together. Within two minutes, the Hoosiers netted their third goal as Ryan Woolsey passed off to Kimberly Nash.
The Hoosiers captured the win 21:22 into the second half as Nash recorded her second assist of the game with a pass to Nilsson (two goals).
Offensively the RedHawks were dominant as they attempted 14 shots on goal versus Indiana's nine. Goalkeeper Molly Pulkrabek kept the Hoosiers in the game, making ten saves.
After a demanding preseason campaign, the Hoosiers feel that this win was well deserved.
"We had a great preseason," Erica Nilsson said. "We all have so much more confidence. I think that we proved to ourselves and our coaching staff that we can win."
"I think that we can take a positive from this win," said Robertson. "The team effort in the second half was great. We were able to show that we can play as a team."
The Hoosiers report home on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:30, where they will face Ball State University.
