On Saturday, the Hoosiers won their second Big Ten conference game against the Michigan Wolverines, with senior forward Theresa Ricci scoring the lone goal of the game. The victory gives the Hoosier defense their third shutout of the season and improves Indiana’s overall record to 6-3. It’s a level of confidence we haven’t seen yet from Indiana this season.
“I think that it’s given us a huge momentum boost compared to last year,” sophomore forward Molly Stutte said. “We’ve been playing with a lot more fun and it feels a lot different from the last few years.”
“It takes the pressure off too,” Ricci said. “When you have statistical evidence that you are winning, it takes the pressure away. We feel like we can just go out there and play our game.”
The game started out rough for the defense, as the Wolverines got a penalty corner less than six minutes into the game. However, Hoosier goalie Sadie Canelli saved a shot attempt for her 23rd save of the season. Michigan attempted two more penalty corners in the first quarter, but they were unable to convert on either try. One shot was blocked off of an Indiana defender and the other one was saved by Canelli.
The Hoosiers flipped the switch in the second quarter, as they didn’t allow a single shot attempt or penalty corner in the second and third periods. Midfielders Javi Baeza and Inés Garcia Prado were all over the field for Indiana, as they consistently intercepted passes and jump-started the Indiana attack. As a result, the Hoosiers had five shots in the second quarter.
The Hoosiers finally scored in the third quarter less than a minute in when Stutte assisted Ricci off a penalty corner attempt. IU blocked a shot from the Wolverines in the 39th and Canelli saved another shot two minutes later.
The final period saw the Hoosier defense try to control the ball on their own half of the field. Even when Michigan subbed out their goal with 4:38 left in the game to add an extra attacker, the Hoosier defense held strong and ran the clock out. They only allowed two shots in the final period.
Indiana head coach Kayla Bashore was satisfied with her defense’s performance, specifically with their communication.
“Communication is a foundation for us, and it’s always nice to see us execute it on gameday,” Bashore said. “I think our team did a really good job today keeping composure under a lot of pressure.”
The Hoosiers will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 2, where they will travel to face the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan.
