Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Set for Big Ten Tournament Run
11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 1, 2006
Big Ten Tournament Notes
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana field hockey team is set for the 2006 Big Ten Tournament. This year's conference championship is hosted by Michigan, Nov. 3-5, at Phyllis Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, Mich. IU will take on No. 7-seed Michigan State in the tournament's first game at 10 a.m., on Nov. 3.
Hoosiers Claim No. 2 Seed
For the second consecutive year, the Hoosiers claimed the No. 2 seed for the post-season tournament. Indiana enters the tournament with a 4-2 mark in conference play, including wins over then-No. 5 Ohio State and then-No. 7 Penn State.
Another First
For the first time in the program's seven-year history and the first time in eight tries, Indiana topped Penn State. Led by an unstoppable defensive attack, the Hoosiers defeated the Nittany Lions, 1-0, on Oct. 29 in University Park, Pa. Additionally, IU is the first team to shut out Penn State in 38 contests.
Hoosier All-Stars
For the second time in as many seasons, Indiana will have two representatives at the NFHCA North-South Senior All-Star Game. Senior captains Morgan Miller and Lydia Schrott were selected as members of the West team. The game will be played on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. EST at Wake Forest's Kentner Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hoosiers Ranked Nationally
The Hoosiers remained ranked in the top 20 of the STX/NFHCA poll, released Oct. 31. Indiana claimed the No. 12 slot, up two from last week's ranking. Additionally, five of IU's 2006 opponents are ranked including Ohio State (No. 5), Penn State (No. 6), Virginia (No. 10), Louisville (No. 14) and Michigan (No. 15).
Exner Earns Second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Honor
Junior goalkeeper Haley Exner was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 30. Exner led the Hoosier defense to a 1-0 shutout victory over No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 29.
Exner performed flawlessly in IU's upset over the Nittany Lions in University Park, Pa. The San Diego, Calif., native recorded an impressive four saves in goal for the Hoosiers, picking up her fourth shutout win of the season.
Exner claimed her fifth weekly laurel as she was also honored earlier this year on Oct. 2 and three times during the 2005 season (Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Oct. 17).
Championship Game to be Nationally Televised on CSTV
The 2006 Big Ten Tournament championship game on Nov. 5 will be televised nationally on CSTV. The game will air in its entirety on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 p.m.(EST).
Scouting the Big Ten
Without a doubt one of the top field hockey conferences in the country, the Big Ten boats four nationally ranked teams, including No. 12 Indiana, No. 5 Ohio State, No. 6 Penn State and No. 15 Michigan.
Ohio State enters the conference tournament with a 5-1 record in the Big Ten and the No. 1 seed. OSU's only loss came at the hands of the Hoosiers.
Penn State notched the third seed with a 4-2 record in Big Ten action. The Nittany Lions suffered losses against Ohio State and Indiana.
Michigan claimed the No. 5 seed, also with a 4-2 mark in conference play. Indiana suffered its first conference loss of the season to the Wolverines, 1-0.
Iowa enters the tournament as the No. 5 seed. The Hawkeyes enter the tournament with a 2-4 ledger in the Big Ten, taking back-to-back wins over Northwestern and Michigan State to close the conference slate. IU defeated Iowa, 2-1, in its Big Ten home opener.
Northwestern heads to Ann Arbor with a 1-5 record in league play. Northwestern tallied its only win against Michigan State. Led by senior forward Lydia Schrott's 100th career point and hat trick performance, IU topped the Wildcats, 5-4, in Evanston, Ill.
Michigan State rounds out the Big Ten Tournament with a 1-5 mark in Big Ten action. The Hoosiers' first round opponent beat IU, 1-0, in East Lansing, Mich., to notch its only conference win so far this season.
Hoosier Homecoming
Senior midfielder Rachel Telian will compete in her final Big Ten Tournament in her hometown of Ann Arbor, Mich. Telian, who attended Pioneer High School, netted the Hoosiers' game-winning goal against Penn State off her powerful direct shot on IU's first penalty corner of the contest. So far this season, Telian has scored two goals and three assists, while ranking third on the team in shots with 25 heading into the weekend.
The EX Factor
Junior goalkeeper Haley Exner is having another standout year for the Hoosiers in goal. Currently, Exner leads the Big Ten and is third nationally in save percentage at 0.821. The San Diego, Calif., native has recorded an impressive 96 saves and four shutout wins so far. In only two short years, Exner has amassed 30 wins at goalkeeper. Additionally, in the last six contests, Exner has only been scored on three times.
2005 Big Ten Championship Recap
The season of firsts continued for the Hoosiers at the 2005 Big Ten Tournament. Second-seeded Indiana notched its first tournament win, as IU topped Northwestern, 2-1, in overtime in the first round. The Hoosiers played flawlessly in the semifinals against Ohio State, defeating the Buckeyes, 3-1, to advance to the championship game for the first time in program history. IU fell just short against Michigan on the nationally televised game to claim its best finish in IU field hockey history.
More than Just Defense
The Indiana defense is without a doubt vital to IU's success this season. So far in 2006, Hoosier backs Morgan Miller, Fenna Geuskens, Danitra Castro, along with Brittney Hacken, Erin Isler and April Levins, have made significant contributions, accounting for eight goals and four assists for 20 points. On defense, this group has registered five shutouts and a league-best three defensive saves.
Perfect Past 70
The Hoosiers are a perfect 3-0 when playing past the 70-minute mark. Indiana defeated Central Michigan, 2-1, Northwestern, 5-4, and Northeastern, 2-1, in overtime.
Kate the Great
Junior forward Kate O'Connell has come on strong for the Hoosiers' attack midway through the season. In the last six contests, the St. Louis, Mo., native has made an offensive contribution in five of the last seven games. So far this season, O'Connell has netted nine goals and nine assists.
Hats Off
Freshman forward Alina Valenti became the third Hoosier in program history to record a hat trick. Valenti, who made her first career start for IU against Lindenwood, scored three goals, marking the sixth time a Hoosier has scored three goals in a game.
Last Time Out
Indiana moved to 14-4 overall and 4-2 in league play, clinching the No. 2 seed for the 2006 Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers defeated their second ranked opponent of the season in then-No. 7 Penn State, 1-0, on Oct. 29. Senior midfielder Rachel Telian netted her second goal of the season, while junior goalkeeper Haley Exner notched four impressive saves en route to earning her second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Schrott Scores 100th Career Point
In Indiana's 5-4 double-overtime win against Northwestern on Sept. 22 in Evanston, Ill., senior All-American forward Lydia Schrott became the program's first career 100-point scorer. Schrott netted her 100th career point in thrilling fashion as the goal proved to be the game-winner and capped Schrott's fourth-career hat trick.
