Indiana University Athletics
Field Hockey Heads East
9/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
September 12, 2002
Bloomington, IN - The field hockey team heads east today to face Rutgers University and Villanova University in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge. The Hoosiers' first game is Friday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m. against the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. IU caps off the weekend on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. as they compete against the Wildcats of Villanova.
Download the PDF file to learn more about the Hoosiers and their competition this weekend.
One-on-One with IU Coaching Staff
Head Coach Amy Robertson Regarding Traveling to the East Coast....
"We are very excited for the upcoming trip to Syracuse this weekend. I always love to travel to the Eastern part of the country because it is the land of field hockey.
We are excited as a team to participate in a tournament format this weekend and represent the Big Ten conference as well as we can. We have extra incentive to play our best game because we are competing not just for our university but also for the conference."
Head Coach Amy Robertson on Team Preparation....
"The Indiana Field Hockey Team is on a mission this week. We will have two very intense practices before we leave on Thursday. Our goal is to practice as hard if not harder than we compete."
Head Coach Amy Robertson Regarding the Competition...
"We are looking forward to playing against some strong Big East competition. Both games will present different challenges for us. Both Rutgers and Villanova have more experience. Rutgers will be tough because they are in a similar situation as we are and are very hungry for a win, while Villanova has gained a lot of confidence with a couple of victories over good teams. They (Villanova) have always played an aggressive hard-nosed style."
Assistant Coach Gina Lucido's Evaluation of the Hoosiers...
"After having a string of four games in nine days, we met as a team and evaluated where we are in being committed to the goals we set at the beginning of the season. We looked at the variables we can control in order to have the ball roll our way in those near win games. While learning from our previous experiences, we are also in a continual position to let any frustration go and begin our task again each and everyday. One of our team mottos this season is winning each moment...and that means taking care of all the little details all the time. Establishing a tradition of success is hardly an easy task, and the true character of this team will be shown in every new game, and the team's ability to become better regardless of our overall record. The girls are looking forward to a great weekend for Indiana Field Hockey."
Graduate Assistant Reita Holmes Regarding the Weekend...
"I am looking forward to this weekend - our first big trip of the
year. It is also going to be exciting playing in the Big Ten/Big East
Challenge. Indiana is again presented with another opportunity to
compete and win matches. The team continues to improve and learn from
our past experiences. While we have played some very good hockey, if
we can execute the fundamentals well, keep our play simple and play
with heart, the Indiana team will be in a position to continue
creating new traditions for the program."
Graduate Assistant Reita Holmes on Team Preparations for the Weekend...
"We only have two practices at home before departing. In preparation
for the weekend, practice will be high intensity with a focus on
performing skills at speed and game tempo, emphasizing simplicity in
all facets of play, and as always, continual improvement."
Volunteer Coach Sandy Willmott Regarding the Big East Challenge...
"I am really looking forward to this weekend's trip because it will be our
first chance to play against opponents from the Big East. Two other Big
Ten teams will also be at Syracuse, so we will be able to see where we and
our conference stand at the moment."
Volunteer Coach Sandy Willmott Regarding Preparation for the Weekend...
"It has been nice to have more time between games this week. This has
enabled us to go back and work in detail on some specific areas of
technique and team organization. The goalkeepers have been working hard on
improving their footwork and sharpness in preparation for the upcoming
games."
One-on-One with Players
Sophomore Meg Dunne Regarding Road Trips....
"I'm really excited about traveling because its our first big
road trip and we will see how we play on the road. Road trips are always
fun, plus I think it will be good for team bonding."
Dunne Regarding the Big East...
"As far as playing Big East teams, I'm not really sure, because we
don't really know much about our opponents. It's a good opportunity to
play our own game and surprise them. I have a good feeling about this
weekend!"
Senior Lindsay Schafer Regarding the Trip...
"I'm really excited for all of our games this weekend. I think we are all
ready to prove to ourselves, to not only the Big East, but also to the other
teams in the Big Ten."
Schafer Regarding Weekend Expectations...
"I think the teams from the Big East will be great competition for us, I'm
really looking forward to facing Rutgers and Villanova."
Sophomore Lindsey Nealis Regarding the Weekend....
"I am really excited for our games because I feel that we are finally
really putting everything together. We are just so close to being great
and getting some wins. Traveling is fun, especially these far
away road trips where we fly. It sounds dorky, but I just love
walking through the airport all matching in khakis and our warm up
jackets, everyone watches us and we just look cool! Road trips are a
time where we grow much closer as a team. I have a positive outlook
on this weekend."
Sophomore Jamie Baldwin on Preparation for the Road Trip to N.Y...
"I am so excited about our trip to Syracuse this weekend. We have been
preparing extremely well in practice, and we know, as a team, that
there is no limitation to what we can do when we play to our
potential. I am positive about one thing, that we will not be
outworked or outplayed. Each day our team is getting stronger both
mentally and physically. These road trips bring out the best in our
team. It's a great time for us to get closer together which only
builds our chemistry on the field. Being so far away from IU gives us
a chance to prove to the northeast exactly what Indiana Field Hockey
is all about!!!"
Baldwin Regarding the Weekend Competition...
"We expect every game to be a fight. If we go out with the mindset that Rutgers
and Villanova will have spectacular performances, that will only
elevate our level of play. We cannot go into the game worrying about
what they will put on the field; if we go out there and play like we
have been in practice, we will win. We go into every game with the
same expectations for ourselves, to win!"
