Press Release courtesy of Indiana Athletics
Indiana put the finishing touches on their first weekend in the pool of the 2018 season with their biggest competition yet, facing No. 5 Arizona State. The 13th-ranked Hoosiers (2-1) couldn’t contain a formidable attack by the Sun Devils (2-0), resulting in a 10-3 defeat for their first loss of the year.
Kelly Matthews found productive moments to place two goals past the Sun Devil defense, adding an assist on Jennifer Beadle‘s goal in the second half. Matthews finishes Indiana’s opening weekend with 11 goals created (5g, 6a).
Matthews and Sarah Myers each swiped two steals, aiding a defensive effort that saw Arizona State convert just 1-of-8 power play opportunities. In three games this weekend, the Hoosiers held their opponents to 4-of-28 in 6-on-5 situations.
Game 3: No. 5 Arizona State 10, No. 13 Indiana 3 // Box Score
Team 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 | F
IU: 1 – 1 – 1 – 0 | 3
ASU: 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 | 10
Offense: Matthews (2g, 1a), Beadle (1g), Abarta (1a), Williams (3 DEX)
Defense: Myers (2 steals), Matthews (2 steals)
Matthews slotted Indiana’s first score on their second power play chance of the game, pulling Indiana within two goals of Arizona State midway through the first period on Megan Abarta‘s assist. The standout senior found another successful strike in the second quarter to keep the Hoosiers close. But a 2-0 run at the end of the half gave the Sun Devils a 7-2 lead entering the break.
Beadle added to a strong first weekend in the water with a third quarter goal, receiving an assist from Matthews before stretching the netting. Beadle ends the weekend with five goals and one assist; the score versus Arizona State was the 104th of her career.
The Hoosiers did well to create scoring opportunities but couldn’t find much space past Arizona State’s defensive unit. Mollie Williams matched a career high with 3 drawn exclusions, followed by Joelle Nacouzi and Sarah Young with two apiece.
Exhibition: China 11, Indiana 4 // Score Sheet
Team 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 | F
CHN: 3 – 2 – 2 – 4 | 11
IU: 1 – 1 – 2 – 0 | 4
Offense: Williams (2g), Beadle (1g), Kozokar (1G)
Defense: Allowed zero 6-on-5 goals (6 attempts)
Indiana completed their UCSB Winter Invite slate on Sunday, but not before a unique opportunity to play an exhibition game against the China Women’s National Team. China won the exhibition, 11-4, but the Hoosiers showed bright spots in the contest.
The Hoosiers interrupted China’s 2-0 lead with Williams’ first of two scores. China retaliated to gain a 3-1 lead entering the second period.
Following China’s goal that opened the second quarter, Indiana successfully ran a power play conversion with Karrie Kozokar receiving the final pass. Her ensuing conversion was the only successful power play of the game, as the Hoosier defense killed China’s six 6-on-5 scenarios.
Indiana gave a valiant effort in the third, exchanging two goals apiece with China. Beadle and Williams scored goals in succession to halve China’s lead, at 6-4, but China found another before the quarter’s end. China ended the exhibition with four unanswered goals in the last eight minutes.
Up Next: 2018 Hoosier Invite • Friday–Sunday, Jan. 26-28
Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center • Bloomington, Ind. • Tournament Central
Indiana returns home next weekend to host their first of two regular season invitational tournaments, the 2018 Hoosier Invite. Six teams converge at the CBAC for 13 games in total, with the Hoosiers scheduled to play four home games. Admission is free, however, there will be a $10 fee to park at the Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC).
All four of Indiana’s games will stream via BTN Plus on BTN2Go.com. To learn more about subscribing to BTN Plus, click here.
Indiana’s schedule for their first home weekend is as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 27
10 am ET – Indiana vs. Toronto University (Ex.) // Live Stats • BTN Plus
8 pm ET – No. 13 Indiana vs. No. 19 UC Santa Barbara // Live Stats • BTN Plus
Sunday, Jan. 28
12 pm ET – No. 13 Indiana vs. Iona // Live Stats • BTN Plus
2:30 pm ET – No. 13 Indiana vs. McKendree // Live Stats • BTN Plus