Sept. 17, 2006

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The No. 14 Indiana field hockey team utilized a balanced attack to blank Maine, 3-0, on Sept. 17 at Mellencamp Pavilion. Five Hoosiers tallied points in IU's third shutout of the season. The win improved Indiana's record to 7-1 on the season.

"I thought we played IU field hockey today," Indiana head coach Amy Roberston said. "We played with a lot of confidence, we moved the ball, and we trusted our decisions. Everyone stepped up today. We played an intelligent and structured game. The press worked brilliantly. We played as a team, and we created a lot of opportunities for ourselves. I have to give credit to Maine. They played a great game, made a lot of good saves and shot the ball on us well. Overall, it was a very well executed game."

In the seventh minute, junior midfielder Meredith Brown drew a penalty corner for Indiana, setting up a 1-0 lead for IU. Senior midfielder Rachel Telian took the initial shot off the corner, before senior back Morgan Miller shot from the left side of the circle for her fifth goal of the season.

The Hoosiers increased their lead to 2-0 in the 19th minute, as senior forward Lydia Schrott drove deep into the circle. Just as Schrott's shot looked like it was going to miss wide, freshman forward Haley Funk flew in from the far right side for her third goal of the season and the 2-0 advantage.

The Indiana offense had a busy first half, controlling possession from the opening whistle. For the first period, the Hoosiers outshot the Black Bears, 7-2, and drew four corners.

Six minutes into the second half, IU earned a penalty stroke. Senior midfielder Meredith Brown, who notched the game-winning goal two days prior against Central Michigan on a stroke, had her efforts stopped by Maine goalkeeper Maygan Cassarino who deflected the ball with a diving save. Brown was awarded another stoke late in the second half as well.

Brown used her ball-handing skills to set up Indiana's final score of the game in the 55th minute. The Elkton, Md., product dribbled into the circle, before finding junior midfielder Margie Stoll on the short pass. As Stoll was heading for the goal, junior forward Kate O'Connell was in position on the left side of the cage to tap it in for the 3-0 lead.

The Black Bears threatened late in the game, but it was not enough as the Hoosiers' balanced offensive and defensive attack prevailed. On defense, Miller and sophomore back Danitra Castro notched defensive saves in the winning effort.

Junior goalkeeper Haley Exner earned her third shutout of the season, recording five saves in the victory.

For the contest, IU out shot Maine, 15-7, and earned six penalty corners. Miller led the Hoosiers with four shots and three on goal.

Indiana hits the road for its Big Ten opener against Northwestern on Friday, Sept. 22. Match time is slated for 3 p.m. (CT) in Evanston, Ill. The Hoosiers close the weekend at home, as they host New Hampshire at 1 p.m. (ET) at Mellencamp Pavilion.