Indiana University Athletics
O'Connell Named IU Athlete of the Week
9/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 26, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - On a weekly basis, IUHOOSIERS.com will recognize the top performances in Hoosier Athletics by selecting an IU Athlete of the Week. For the week ending Sept. 25, sophomore women's field hockey player Kate O'Connell is the second field hockey Hoosier to earn such distinction.
The St. Louis, Mo., native clinched the IU Athlete of the Week honor by scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime to give Indiana their first win over Michigan State in program history. The Hoosiers, who were looking to avenge three season-ending losses by the Spartans, upset MSU by a score of 3-2 Saturday in Mellencamp Pavilion.
O'Connell took three shots against State, including the game winner. The overtime score came off an assist from fellow sophomore Meredith Brown after a tussle in the circle.
"Scoring that goal was an awesome feeling," O'Connell said. "When I was going through it, I was trying to be so composed, and when Meredith (Brown) passed me the ball, I was trying to do everything really slowly and put the ball in the net with one touch. I felt wide open, and I don't know if there was someone on me, but I wanted the ball and I got it. We've been working on that situation in practice and it paid off. This win is an awesome feeling."
O'Connell earned the Athlete of the Week honor from a list of deserving nominees. The list of nominees included senior right side hitter Rachel Gerling (volleyball), freshman midfielder Molly Kruger (women's soccer), junior back Jed Zayner (men's soccer) and freshman Jorge Campillo (men's golfer).
Hoosier Honor Roll
Senior outside hitter Rachel Gerling (volleyball) - recorded 15 kills, two assists, two aces and five blocks in Indiana's 3-2 win over Michigan.
Freshman midfielder Molly Kruger (women's soccer)- netted her first career goal as a Hoosier in the 2-1 overtime loss to Minnesota.
Junior back Jed Zayner (men's soccer)- guided the IU defense to their fifth shutout of the season in the Big Ten opener against Michigan State.
Freshman Jorge Campillo (men's golf)- tied for 22nd at the Wolverine Intercollegiate with an overall score of 215 (70-68-77) in the team's eighth-place finish.
