Oct. 15, 2009
Game 15 at Indiana Noon CT Game Notes/Weekly Release
IU Field Hockey Field Bloomington, Ind.
Big Ten Network (Tape Delay Sunday, Oct. 18 11 a.m. CT)
EVANSTON, Ill. -- One week removed from defeating Penn State in one of its biggest wins in recent memory, No. 16 Northwestern (12-4, 1-2) looks to win its second straight Big Ten road game and its fourth in a row overall when it travels to Indiana Saturday at noon. Fans can watch the Big Ten Network's broadcast of the game on tape delay on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.
This is the second of NU's four consecutive Big Ten tests to end the regular season. Leah Secondo and Karen Weaver will be calling the action for BTN from the IU Field Hockey Field in Bloomington.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
NU has brought an offensive barrage to the turf throughout the 2009 campaign, posting an impressive Big Ten-leading 3.94 goals per game. With 63 goals this season and three games remaining in the regular season, the 2009 squad is on pace to erase the current school records for total goals (69) and goals per game (3.33).
Starting strong has been the modus operandi for the Wildcats all season long. Northwestern is more than tripling its opponents' output in the first half, outscoring the opposition 28-8 through the opening 35 minutes. The strong first-half starts have paid dividends for NU as the 'Cats are 10-0 this season when leading at halftime.
RAISING HER GAME Sophomore Kaylee Pohlmeyer has become a consistent contributor behind the front line for Northwestern this season. After playing in the back for much of her freshman season, Pohlmeyer has gotten involved in the attack this year and scored seven goals. The Severna Park, Md., native's first career goal was the overtime game-winner on the road at Yale, and she followed that up with goals in the next two games. She is also 2-for-3 on penalty stroke attempts this season.
Defender Zoe Almquist also has suddenly become more involved in the 'Cats offensive attack. Almquist has two goals this year and scored the opening goal for Northwestern in last week's 3-2 win over Penn State.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
Indiana is coming off a 3-1 defeat of Central Michigan in its last game, bouncing back from a 6-2 loss to Big Ten foe Michigan State the day before. Redshirt freshman Morgan Fleetwood leads Indiana (8-5, 1-2) with seven goals and 19 points in 13 games. She also owns five assists on the season. Junior Kelsey Kiper leads IU with six assists to go along with one goal for eight points.
NU and Indiana last met in the regular-season 2008 finale for both teams in Evanston. The Hoosiers scored first but could not hold off a Northwestern team hungry for a win on Senior Day as the Wildcats rallied for three goals to earn their first Big Ten win of the season. NU leads the all-time series 9-4.