Indiana University Athletics
Field Hockey Preview, "Season Opener"
8/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
August 29, 2002
On the Road
The Hoosiers of Indiana open up their 2002 campaign against the RedHawks of Miami University (Ohio) on Saturday, August 31, at 1:00. The game will be held in Oxford, Ohio, at Miami Turf Field.
Series History
The Hoosiers have played the Redhawks consecutively since their inaugural season in 2000. Unfortunately, IU has fallen short in both match-ups, 9-0 and 2-1.
Head Coach Amy Robertson
Amy Robertson is in her third season as the head field hockey coach. Robertson came to Indiana to lead the Hoosiers in their inaugural season.
Robertson began her coaching career in 1988; she spent one year as a student assistant coach at UMass. She left in 1989, to take a position as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, where she remained until 1992, and earned a master's degree in sports psychology. Robertson joined the Hoosiers after serving as an assistant coach at Wake Forest for three seasons.
Robertson has coached 10 athletes who have played on the National Team, during or after their collegiate careers, 10 All-Americans along with six Under-18 and Under-21 National Team members. Robertson was directly responsible for recruiting three of the National Team members, one of the Under-21 players and a pair of the Under-18 players.
Robertson also enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career as a defender at UMass. She helped the Minutewomen to a combined 56-19-6 record and four trips to the NCAA Tournament in four years. Massachusetts advanced to the NCAA final four and finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation in 1987, her senior season. In four years, Robertson tallied four goals and six assists from her defensive position. She capped off her career by being named to the Northeast Region All-America team as a senior.
Robertson was also a four-year letterwinner on the UMass lacrosse team. She was named the 1987-88 Outstanding Two-Sport Athlete at Massachusetts and was a North-South All-Star selection in lacrosse. She was named Northeast Region All-American in both her junior and senior seasons of lacrosse.
After earning a bachelor's degree in exercise science from UMass in 1988, Robertson played with the United States Field Hockey squad from 1988-1990. She was a member of the 1989 U.S. Reserve Team and a two-time Olympic Festival participant. A native of Evergreen, Colo., she was named the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year for Field Hockey in 1988.
Robertson is a member of the Holland Tunnel Club Team, a program that has won the national club championship each of the last five years. She is also part of the Under-16 National Team coaching staff and toured with the U18 Futures Elite team in Queensland, Australia this past summer. Robertson is a selector for the United States Field Hockey Association at the National Futures Tournament.
Miami University Head Coach
Lil Fesperman is entering her 26th season as head coach. Fesperman has guided Miami to a 226-209-17 record. She has coached 16 regional all-Americans and 63 all-Mid-American Conference players. Currently she is the 12th all-time winningest college field hockey coach with 226 victories.
Fesperman is a 1974 graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. At Appalachian State she received a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. She was a three-year member of the field hockey team at ASU and was captain and Most Valuable Player in her season.
Before earning her master's degree in 1978 in education from Miami, Fesperman taught HPE and coached in the Charlotte-Mecklenbury School System. She continued playing field hockey for the Deep South Club team in addition to officiating.
She spends her summers coaching the USA Field Hockey's Olympic Development program as well as other summer camps. She is also involved in the Futures Program.
Fesperman has served on the Midwest Regional and all-America poll committees and has been a longtime member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and the USFHA.
Common Opponents
Even though Miami University (Ohio) is a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) the Hoosiers face similar opponents. Both the Hoosiers and the RedHawks will match up against Ball State University, Georgetown University, Ohio State, and Louisville.
Players to Look Out for
Miami University (Ohio) returns 14 players and welcomes 7 players to their roster. Two newcomers to keep an eye on are midfielder Jessica Saling from Louisville, Ky., and forward/midfielder Marnie Pickering, a native from Hudson, Ohio. Both players received all-state honors in high school.
On defense the RedHawks return junior Lauren Plapp (Overland Park, Kan.), and sophomores Katie Moran (St. Louis, Mo.), and Gillian Lindsay (Cleveland Heights, Ohio). Co-captains Julie Nelson (Bethesda, Md.) and Sarah Clarke (West Bridgewater, Mass.) will also contribute in the backfield.
On the attacking end of the field the Hoosiers will need to mark up tight against sophomore Megan Wiegand, who led the RedHawks in scoring last season posting three goals for six points. Wiegand was also the only freshman to start in all 21 games. Sophomore midfielder, Meredith Lee, was second in scoring last season posting five points (2 goals, 1 assist).
Head Coach Amy Robertson Regarding Season Opener
"We are eager to take our first test against Miami. I think we have worked hard this preseason...not only physically but also mentally. We are playing a new system to generate greater attack and we have installed a more efficient defense. The team has responded extremely well to a lot of new information and to the challenge of building and maintaining team unity. You learn a lot about your team after your first game...strength and deficiencies...so at this point we are waiting for 1pm on Saturday to roll around."
Assistant Coach Gina Lucido Regarding Season Opener
"I have never felt more confident about our team's preparation and desire to make a mark in our home opener. Although our pre-season was very demanding, I think the team has weathered the highs and lows that come from the intensity of training, and is now focused on the start of the season. Saturday couldn't come any sooner...the girls are ready to compete." How do I Find Out About the Game Results?
Go to IUHOOSIERS.com where you can follow the field hockey team during its 2002 campaign. Posted daily are updated game results, statistics, and a detailed post-event press release.
Media Relations Staff
Indiana University media relations staff assistant Amy Di Micco is the main contact for field hockey. She is assisted by student assistant Adrianne Courtney. Feel free to contact them with any questions.
Office Number 812-855-9399
Office Fax 812-855-9401
E-mail adimicco@indiana.edu
acourtne@indiana.edu
