Second Half Surge Propels Indiana, 5-3, Over New Hampshire

Sunday, September 11

Bloomington, IN

12 PM

Indiana University

(4-2)

New Hampshire

(2-4)

New Hampshire

Indiana

Second Half Surge Propels Indiana, 5-3, Over New Hampshire

9/11/2016 5:32:00 PM | Field Hockey

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Barber and Pearson score twice in second-straight game; Getzfread tabs first career goal

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After forcing a halftime tie in Sunday's Patriot Day game at the IU Field Hockey Complex, the Indiana Hoosiers (4-2) knew they would need a strong start to the second half to edge the New Hampshire Wildcats (2-4). Indiana accomplished that, and more, in a 5-3 victory on their home turf.

"We were just trying to figure out our opponents, because they're a talented team and they did a great job to get a lot of attack and a lot of corners against us," said Indiana head coach Amanda Janney. "We were trying to figure out how to best use our system to slow them down. We got on the players at halftime, and they picked up the intensity. For them to respond after not playing to our potential in the first half was a great sign for us."

The goal-getting duo of Kate Barber and Taylor Pearson once again made good on their chances, scoring two goals apiece. Barber now has nine goals in the Hoosiers' last five games, one more than her goal total from her 2015 All-American season. Pearson is building momentum, having scored two goals in both of Indiana's games this weekend.

"We knew as a team that we needed to pick it up," Pearson said. "We knew that we were in this game, we just needed to keep possession, so we worked hard as a team. It started with the backfield; they were really strong and got it into the midfield. They were looking for the forwards cutting off of the ball and they saw the open lanes. We got it forward into the back of the net."

Rounding out the score sheet was fifth-year senior Mollie Getzfread, who notched her first career goal in the 59^th minute. Getzfread's teammates are elated that their captain entered the score line, as it's a validation of the contributions she brings in central midfield and in penalty corner situations on both ends.

"It feels good, but obviously I wouldn't be able to do it without my teammates," Getzfread said after opening her scoring account. "I was trying to feed one of them the ball, but it happened to go in, which was exciting. It feels good."

Maddie Latino, after leading Indiana in goals last season, has thrived in her ability to create scoring chances for her teammates in the forward line. The junior served two assists in the game, bringing her season total to a team-leading six. Getzfread added one assist in the Hoosiers' first half tying goal.

The Indiana goalkeepers, Noëlle Rother and Katie Johnson, entered another split shift between the posts in Sunday's win. Rother tallied six saves, including a lead-preserving parry midway through the second half. Johnson, in her 11 minutes, made three saves.

The statistics shed light on Indiana's efficiency on the attack and their fortitude on the defensive end. The Wildcats out-shot the Hoosiers, 21-20, and earned 15 corners to Indiana's four. The Hoosiers' defensive corner unit braved the storm and thwarted the Wildcats' comeback attempt, which continued into the final minutes of the contest.

How it Happened:
The early stages of the game took place in Indiana's defensive end, as New Hampshire was tenacious on the attack penalty corner. They broke through on their ninth penalty corner attempt in the 20^th minute with a goal from Lindsey Nerbonne to take a 1-0 lead.

Determined to level the score before the break, the Hoosiers pushed the game into their attacking third with a couple of penalty corner opportunities. Barber's aim was true on the Hoosiers' second penalty corner attempt, knotting the game at 1-1 four minutes after they conceded a goal on the other end.

"Kate is super talented and such a competitor," Janney said. "She has that winning spirit to get things done, even when she's tired or we're down one goal in a tough situation. That senior leadership is really going to drive us far this season."

The halftime adjustments resulted in a strong outset in the final 35 minutes for the Hoosiers, who took their first lead just two minutes after the break. Latino fed the attack to Pearson, who sent her reverse shot banging into the boards to give Indiana a 2-1 lead. Pearson doubled the lead in the 46^th minute in similar fashion, squeezing her shot past the keeper's right leg.

"Skill-wise, Taylor is one of the most talented players on our team," Janney said. "To see that turn into goals is great because she works so hard in practice in the midfield and between the 25-yard lines. She does so much to make us successful, so to see that inside our scoring circle is huge. She reads the game so well, she's a really smart hockey player, so it's great that she's able to get on the boards for us."

Barber doubled up on her goal total with a diving strike near the backline in the 54^th minute, marking her third game this season with multiple scores. Five minutes later, Getzfread converted her first career score, lifting the Hoosiers' lead to 5-1.

Down, but not out, New Hampshire continued a high-pressure attack to the end of the game. The Wildcats scored two goals in two minutes, with their last coming in the 62^nd minute. New Hampshire cut Indiana's lead to 5-3, but the Hoosiers held the difference to the final whistle.

Up Next: Indiana (4-2, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 7 Maryland (4-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
Saturday, September 17, 2016 • 1:00 p.m. ET • BTN Plus on BTN2Go.com
Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex • College Park, Md.

The Hoosiers bring a three-game winning streak into their Big Ten opener next weekend at No. 7 Maryland. This is a game both teams have anticipated since last season's meeting, when the Terrapins emerged with a 1-0 victory in the eighth minute of overtime. Both sides are eager to start Big Ten play with a win, and Indiana is seeking their first-ever win over the Terrapins.

"It's right where we need to be, that we have confidence going into conference play," Janney said about the Hoosiers' winning streak. "To get a good variety of field goals from different players is something we really needed. Last game, it was our corners; today, it was more field goals and counterattacks. I'm really pleased with the variety of attack we have on our team."