Sept. 23, 2011
Site: Bloomington, Ind. (IU Field Hockey Complex)
Score: Indiana 4, Northwestern 1
Records: IU (7-2, 1-0 Big Ten), NU (7-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Saturday, Sept. 24 vs. No. 7 New Hampshire Louisville, Ky. 1 p.m.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior forward Claire Thompson recorded her second goal of the year thanks to some nice movement in the circle, but it was not enough for Northwestern as it fell to 18th-ranked Indiana Friday, 4-1, in Bloomington to open Big Ten play.
Northwestern tallied 14 penalty corners and outshot Indiana, 19-18, but the Hoosiers made the most of their opportunities. NU's Chelsea Armstrong reeled off 12 shots (eight on goal), but IU's Maggie Olsen recorded nine saves to hinder the 'Cats from capitalizing.
"It was an even game except for penalty corner execution," head coach Tracey Fuchs said. "Indiana was 4 of 8 and we were 1 of 14. Indiana executed and we need to bounce back against UNH tomorrow."
Things remained tight for the two teams about 15 minutes into the first period, but Indiana's Katie Griswold tacked on the first score for the Hoosiers at the 20-minute mark with a shot just past freshman goalkeeper Maddy Carpenter in the lower-right side of the cage.
After halftime, NU tried to make some adjustments, but IU used two corners in less than four minutes a part to take a 3-0 lead with about 20 minutes to play. Seven minutes of scoreless clock rolled by before the Hoosiers added their fourth and final goal off yet another successful corner attempt.
Down 4-0, Northwestern didn't give up, however. Claire Thompson was able to maneuver her way around Indiana's back line and squeak an unassisted goal by Maggie Olsen for the Wildcats' only tally of the game.
The 'Cats return to action Saturday with a 1 p.m. neutral-site matchup against No. 7 New Hampshire in Louisville, Ky. Live stats are available here
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