Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Wins Season Opener 1-0
8/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
August 30, 2003
Bloomington, Ind. - Indiana opened the 2003 field hockey season with a 1-0 victory against Central Michigan on Saturday, August 30. This marks the first time in the program's four-year history that Indiana has won its home-opener.
Junior Kayla Bashore scored the Hoosiers only goal with 22:38 remaining in the game off a penalty corner that deflected off the goalkeeper before going in the right side of the net. The goal now ties her for second on Indiana's career goals list (six) and moves her into a tie for first on Indiana's career shots list (56). Assists on the goal went to freshman Lydia Schrott and sophomore Mallory Reabold.
According to Bashore, Indiana's rigorous preseason camp is immediately paying dividends.
"It's always nice to win the home opener," Bashore said. "We have practiced the corner shots all through preseason, and when the ball came straight to me, I put it in the net."
Offensively, Central Michigan and Indiana were even as both attempted four shots on goal. Goalkeeper Molly Pulkrabek kept the Hoosiers in the game, making four saves, as she recorded her fourth career shutout.
"I am happy and excited to start out with a win," said Pulkrabek. "We didn't let down the entire game, and I'm excited to get out there and try for the same result tomorrow."
After a demanding preseason campaign, the Hoosiers feel that this win was well deserved.
"This is the appropriate end to eight months of hard work," head coach Amy Robertson said. "We started the game shaky from anxiety to start the season, but we took better control in the second half and found a way to win. Our backs really won the game for us by staying poised and winning balls."
The Hoosiers return to Melencamp Pavilion to face visiting Miami (Ohio) at home tomorrow, August 31, at 1:00 p.m.
