Indiana University Athletics
Indiana's Road Journey Continues Closer to Home
9/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 17, 2008
The Hoosiers head to two Mid-American Conference venues this week, taking on the University of the Pacific Tigers in Oxford, Ohio on Thursday, Sept. 18, and heading up to Muncie, Ind. where they will square off with the Ball State Cardinals in a Saturday, Sept. 20 contest. IU is looking to the rebound, coming off of losses to Ohio and Wake Forest.
Indiana holds a series advantage over both of the weeks opponents, sitting at 2-0 all-time versus the Tigers and 5-3 against the Cardinals. IU has come away victorious from its last four meeting with the Cardinals. Thursday's game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. ET start, and Saturday's contest will begin at 2 p.m. ET.
HOOSIERS FALL TO #1 WAKE FOREST
Indiana lost to the the first-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Sunday. The Hoosiers fell by a tally of 2-1.
The Hoosiers took a 1-0 lead into the break, scoring on junior Brittany Hacken's first goal of the season. Hacken put the ball into the cage off of a penalty corner with Mutsa Mutembwa and Alina Valenti assisting on the score at the 24:54 mark.
The Demon Deacons got a goal at the 45:26 mark when Aileen Davis converted on a penalty corner, with assists from Minou Gimbrere and Michelle Kasold.
The difference in the game was a Regina Shannon goal, which came on a penalty stroke in the 52nd minute.
The Hoosiers moved to 3-3 on the season, and Wake Forest extends its undefeated mark to 6-0.
OHIO WINS IN 2OT
The Hoosiers opened a two-game slate in North Carolina on Saturday, taking on the Ohio Bobcats on Wake Forest's campus. The Hoosiers were unable to hold off the Bobcats, losing in the game's second overtime.
Junior Haley Funk was the first player to get on the board, recording her second goal of the season in the game's 28th minute. Indiana took the 1-0 tally into the intermission.
The Bobcats knotted things up in the second half when Estienne Coetzee put one home at the 61:34 mark. Coetzee put the ball high into the net from the right side.
Coetzee's goal proved to be the last score of regulation, and neither team was able to score in the first overtime.
The Bobcats came out quick in the second overtime, with Nicki Gnozzio scoring on a give and go just 2:39 into the second extra frame.
MANN GARNERS WEEKLY ACCOLADE
Indiana sophomore goalkeeper Alex Mann was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8. The recognition comes on the heels of two victories in St. Louis, including a shut out win over the Saint Louis Billikens.
Against the Billikens, Mann played a complete game and recorded her first shutout as a Hoosier. Her five saves in the game are a season high for Indiana. Mann has 13 saves on the season, averaging just over three a game. The Souderton, Pa. native recorded eight saves in two games over the weekend, allowing only one goal to Missouri State.
Head coach Amy Robertson said of Mann's shutout effort, "We were tested. I give a lot of credit to Saint Louis. They found ways to get through our defense here and there, and they tested Alex. She just did a great job. We're really excited, not just for Alex but for the whole team to be recognized as having a goalkeeper that deserves this recognition."
"I think the first part of a great goalkeeper is organizing the defensive front, and she is very comfortable to talk to the backs and make sure they're in the right place and that they're aware of any attackers running in behind them. I think that is the first piece and the other piece is she is very composed back there. You never see her panic. That is one of her best qualities is that she is confident," said Robertson.
This is Mann's first weekly honor and the first defensive accolade for an IU player since Haley Exner brought home the award a year ago this week.
