Indiana University Athletics
Hoosier Women Face Off Against No. 18 USC
8/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana women's soccer team ends its West Coast venture against No. 18 Southern California at the USC Tournament on McAlister Field, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. The Hoosiers are coming off a 0-0 tie against Loyola Marymount on Friday night.
Sophomore Lindsay McCarthy posted two shots for the Hoosiers during its 110-minute match against the Lions, with five other IU players tabbing one apiece.
The Hoosiers contest against the Women of Troy will pose another tough matchup for Indiana as they face the No. 18 USC Trojans at home.
"We are going to have to take advantage of their youth," head coach Mick Lyon said. "They have the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, but they still lack collegiate experience. While we are young as a team, we have valuable experience from Big Ten action, which we can use in our favor. With that said, USC is very talented and will we have to find a way to limit touches by the nation's top recruit in Amy Rodriguez who is a phenomenal player."
•LAST TIME OUT•
The Hoosiers ended their match against Loyola Marymount in a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes of play. While IU was unable to score, it never allowed the Lions a chance to touch the back of their net off of their 18 shots for the night. The Hoosiers posted seven shots in the match, with two of those finding their target on goal.
•SCOUTING NO. 18 USC•
The Women of Troy posted a 4-2 scrimmage win over Cal State Northridge in its preseason matchup. The Trojans bring a talented group of veteran talent, along with a freshman class that is ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Trojans are ranked preseason No. 18 by Soccer Buzz and are picked second in the Pac-10.
Scoring for USC in its win over CSUN were Tracy Lansing, Lauren Brown, Amy Rodriguez and Nini Loucks on the way to the 4-2 decision.
•USC's LAST TIME OUT•
The Women of Troy are coming off a hard loss in their season opener against Florida State at home, losing 4-0. FSU was able to score off four different players during the match, giving the Trojans their first loss of the season during its home tournament.
•SEARCHING FOR THE "W"•
Both the Hoosiers and the Women of Troy are searching for their first wins of the season. The Hoosiers, who ended their 120-minute match against the Lions in a 0-0 tie, are still unbeaten in the 2005 campaign. USC, on the other hand, is trying to protect its home field by not dropping its first two matches of the season. The two will square off in the final game of the Hoosiers' California trip.
•FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING•
This will be the first matchup for the Hoosiers against USC since the inception of the program in 1993. This is the Hoosiers' first trip since 1998 out to the West Coast, and only its fifth time overall to the United States' Pacific Coast.
•2005 PRESEASON•
The Hoosiers continue to rely on their defensive ability to stop opposing teams. The 2004 team again set a record for the least number of goals allowed by opponents with 18, which ranked second in the Big Ten. Every year, head coach Mick Lyon's Hoosiers have set a record for fewest goals allowed since he took the job three years ago.
With past years seeing a squad that was bottom heavy with underclassmen and inexperience, this year's team is full of experience in not only Big Ten matches, but international and club contests as well. This year's team has four seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores and 10 freshmen.
•KRUGER WATCH•
Freshman Molly Kruger enters the lineup as a true freshman, though she is no stranger to the Hoosiers. Kruger was slated to be a 2004 recruit before a car accident required her to forgo enrollment at IU.
Kruger enters the season as a top recruit and an immediate contributor for the Hoosiers at the midfield position. Kruger tabbed one shot two nights ago against Loyola Marymount, a game that ended in a 0-0 tie.
"Molly's ability to pass on a dime will be key for our forwards and offense in general this coming season," head coach Mick Lyon said. "She will be an immediate impact for us this season."
•ON THE GO WITH PIP•
Junior Megan Pipkens is nothing, if not on the go. Her aggressive style of play makes it even harder for the fans to keep up with her fancy footwork.
Pipkens has already tallied six shots, one goal and two assists in the team's first two preseason matches, while she started and played against Loyola Marymount during the squad's first match of the year.
•PROTECTING GOAL•
The Hoosiers have yet to allow a goal in its first two preseason matches. The same reigns true for its season opener against Loyola Marymount. The Lions had 18 shots on the night, but were unable to capitalize on any of their scoring threats.
•CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN•
Senior Kristen Zmijewski has been named the 2005 team captain for the Hoosiers. Zmijewski is one of three seniors on the squad and will lead Indiana from the midfield position. While only standing 5-4 on the height roster, Zmijewski was chosen for her leadership ability.
