No. 21 Indiana Field Hockey Enters the Big Ten Tournament Driven by Discipline and Joy

Over the past three months, No. 21 Indiana Field Hockey has cemented its name among some of the nation’s best. Led by head coach Kayla Bashore, the Hoosiers have been ranked in the last six weeks, reaching as high as No. 11 in the country. The Hoosiers opened the season 7-3, marking their best 10-game start to a season since 2014. After winning their first four Big Ten matchups against No. 2 Iowa, No.13 Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, the Hoosiers were off to their best conference start since 2005. However, the team is now entering a four-game losing streak and is striving to string everything back together ahead of the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal matchup against No. 18 Rutgers on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Snapping the four-game losing streak demands a return to the fundamentals and the identity that drove Indiana’s early-season surge.

“From a hockey standpoint, we have a strong emphasis on our discipline in the circles, limiting corners for the opposition, and defending as a team outside the circle has helped us be successful,” said fourth-year midfielder Theresa Ricci.

Ricci has played in all 16 games for the Hoosiers with 15 starts. She has totaled four goals on 16 shots this season. She has posted an impressive 68.8% shots-on-goal rate and has been a major contributor to the Hoosiers’ attack inside the circle.

The Hoosiers have a proven attack inside the circle, ranking in the Top 25 in shots per game with 15.8; however, their scoring output (2.19 goals per game) ranks closer to the national middle tier (No. 38). Attacking midfielder Molly Stutte and forward Celia Arroyo Cabezudo both lead the team with eight goals and are both ranked in the top 11 in total scoring across the Big Ten. Stutte is 6th in the Big Ten in both total shots and shots on goal, becoming one of Indiana’s biggest threats inside the circle.

“In the attack, we have focused on creating strong opportunities, especially from our press, and anticipation in the circle,” said Ricci.

All eyes turned to Bloomington in mid-September when the Hoosiers left Iowa City with a 3-1 win over the No. 2-ranked Hawkeyes. The victory marked the first top-two win in program history and Indiana’s first victory over a top-five opponent since defeating No. 4 Duke in 2014. Fourth-year midfielder Javi Baeza posted the first goal of the game in just the second minute. A dominant performance by Hoosiers’ goalkeeper Sadie Canelli and early penetration from the Hoosiers’ offense inevitably kept the Hawkeyes out of reach for all four quarters. The Hoosiers not only turned heads nationally, but their historic performance solidified exactly who they could become as a team, and the Hoosiers went on to win the following four games.

“The win against Iowa definitely proved to us that we can compete with any team in the country. All season we have believed that, but performing so unified, fearless, and disciplined reinforced what we already knew about ourselves,” said Ricci. “It sparked even more excitement and grittiness going into more Big Ten play.”

The Hoosiers now sit at 9-7 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten play. They have struggled to secure the win in the last four games; however, three out of the four ended with just a one-goal difference. The Hoosiers’ strength of schedule in the Big Ten has made things difficult, but it has also been a blessing, preparing them for the grit and relentless nature of the Big Ten Tournament.

The Hoosiers fell to Rutgers 2-1 just a week ago despite striking first to snap a two-game scoring drought. The Hoosiers outshot Rutgers 10 to six, and seven of Indiana’s shots were on goal. The opportunities were there; the Hoosiers just needed to execute. Although Indiana fell short on Friday, they generated plenty of positives to carry into Wednesday’s rematch with the Scarlet Knights, starting with turning those circle opportunities into goals.

“I believe the Big Ten is the strongest conference in college field hockey. Every single team in the conference is so strong, making essentially any game a toss-up,” said Ricci. “When the competition is that strong every weekend, it makes it really easy to be excited to play and compete. Regardless of rankings, the level of play throughout the season teaches lessons that we will take into postseason play. Playing strong competition exposes a lot, both areas of strength and areas for improvement.”

On Wednesday, the Indiana Hoosiers will roll into Columbus, Ohio, with much to prove in the Big Ten Tournament, but as they pick up their sticks and head to the turf, they will lead with determination, discipline, gratitude, and a whole lot of joy every moment that follows.

“We always say we play with joy, and as the stage gets bigger, so does the opportunity,” said Ricci. “Gratitude, having fun, and playing together is when we perform our best, especially in the postseason when any game can be the last.”