University of Louisville
INDIANA
Indiana Edges Field Hockey 2-1
September 06, 2009 | Field Hockey
Sept. 6, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The 13th-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team fell 2-1 to visiting Indiana Sunday afternoon at Trager Stadium. The Cards drop to 2-2, while the Hoosiers improve to 3-1 on the season.
The `Battle of the Border' featured an evenly matched and hard fought contest in which the teams traded shots and penalty corners throughout the game. In the final stats, the Cards held an 11-9 edge in shots and led 9-8 in corners - but the Hoosiers prevailed 2-1. All three goals were scored in an eight minute span in the second half.
"It was an unfortunate result for us, but a great and competitive game against formidable Indiana team," said U of L head coach Pam Bustin. "We had opportunities, but didn't capitalize on them. We are going to get back to work on finishing the opportunities we create."
The teams played through a scoreless first half in which Louisville held a 6-4 edge in both shots and penalty corners. Just over five minutes into the second period, Indiana's Alina Valenti netted her first goal of the game when she connected on a rebound off of Louisville goalkeeper Heather Bustanoby's pads. Bustanoby turned back Morgan Fleetwood's shot, but couldn't recover in time as Valenti took advantage of an open cage to give the Hoosiers a 1-0 lead.
The Cards responded at the 46:47 mark when junior Karah Nall tipped junior Nicole Youman's penalty corner shot to knot the game at 1-1.
Indiana quickly regained the lead for good when less than two minutes later, Fleetwood's pass across the cage found Valenti on the left post to give the Hoosiers the 2-1 lead.
In the second half, the teams were even with five shots each with Indiana holding a 4-3 edge in corners. Louisville's Bustanoby and Indiana's Alex Mann each had four saves on the day.
U of L (2-2) will go back on the road to face Missouri State Saturday at noon and Saint Louis Sunday at 1 p.m.
