Indiana University Athletics
Field Hockey Inks Six for 2006
2/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Feb. 13, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana field hockey program and head coach Amy Robertson announced the 2006 signing class on Feb. 13. The talented class comprised of a pair of backs, forwards and midfielders boast three National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) regional All-Americans. The Hoosiers' six newcomers will join 13 returners that finished the historic 2005 campaign ranked No. 9 nationally with a 17-5 overall record and a trip to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Indiana field hockey welcomes Haley Funk (Lititz, Pa./Warwick), Brittney Hacken (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood), Lucy Ireland (Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill), Meg O'Connell (St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette) Elizabeth Schmidt (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy) and Alina Valenti (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton Area) to its lineup for the 2006 season.
"This is the best all-around field hockey class we have ever signed at Indiana," Robertson said. "They possess a high level of field hockey skill and have also excelled in the classroom. Some of these incoming players will immediately make an impact and will give us the depth that we will need for next season and beyond to continue to compete for a Big Ten Championship and pursue our ultimate goal of winning a national championship."
Haley Funk
Lilitz, Pa./Warwick
5-4, Forward
Four-year varsity field hockey letterwinner at Warwick • tri-captain of her team in 2005 • a first team all-state and an all-star selection her senior season • garnered academic all-state honors in 2005 • led team to the state semifinals her junior and senior campaigns • four-time Lancaster Lebanon League champion • three-time participant in the National Futures Tournament and was a 2005 Futures Olympic Development selection • Futures Team won a gold medal in 2003 • member of the 2003 Junior Olympics held in Ann Arbor, Mich. • earned a bronze medal at the 2004 Pennsylvania Keystone State Games and a silver medal in 2005 • played varsity soccer for four seasons • a 2003-05 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) adidas Team Academic Award winner • a second team all-star selection in soccer • honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society • has two sisters, Lindsay and Nicole Benn • daughter of Tom and Debra Funk.
Funk on her decision to attend Indiana:
"The coaches, the team, the campus, everything just felt right."
Robertson on Funk: "Haley is a finesse and poised forward who understands how to run off the ball to create space and shot opportunities. She is a competitor, a team player and possesses great work ethic. She knows what it takes to be successful. Haley hails from one of the most successful high school programs of all-time."
Brittney Hacken
Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood
5-5, Back/Midfield
A two-year letterwinner and starter for Crestwood • earned NFHCA National Academic Squad honors in 2005 • went 26-0 her junior season to claim the PIAA AA State Championship • team also won State in 2003 • a Pennsylvania All-Academic team selection in 2005 • won a bronze medal at the 2005 Keystone Winter Games • participated in the 2005 Heat Wave Tournament winning a gold medal • won a silver medal at the 2004 National Hockey Festival in the U-16 pool • president of the National Honor Society and a National Honor Roll honoree • a two-time recipient of the Harold Baker Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement • attended the Congressional Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. in June of 2004 • has two brothers, Christopher and Brandon • daughter of Frank and Debbie Hacken.
Hacken on her decision to attend Indiana:
"On my visit, I fell in love with the campus, the team and the coaches. Academically, it was a perfect fit, and I knew that I wanted to spend the next four years of my life at IU."
Robertson on Hacken:
"Brittney may be one of the smartest and most natural defenders we have ever recruited. She can read what is happening two or three plays ahead and puts herself in the right position to intercept or tackle with good timing. She is an extremely dedicated and hard-working individual who will keep getting better."
Lucy Ireland
Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill
5-6, Back
A three-year starter and two-time captain for East Chapel Hill • three-time all-conference selection • garnered NFHCA South Regional All-American honors in 2005 • led East Chapel Hill to three consecutive state titles • recipient of the team's Most Valuable Player and Sportsmanship Awards • participated in Futures and the National Festival for four years • represented the U.S. in the Canadian-American Games in 2005 and competed with the U-19 squad in the Futures Elite Tour of Holland • two-year member of Futures Elite • participated in the Junior Olympics in 2004 • competed in basketball and swimming in high school • spent the summer in Costa Rica volunteering in 2004 • has three siblings, Gina, Joe and Vinnie • daughter of Greg and Lori Ireland.
Ireland on her decision to attend Indiana:
"I fell in love with IU and Bloomington as soon as I arrived on campus, but it was the positive chemistry of the team and coaches that really pulled me in. I knew that I wanted to be a Hoosier."
Robertson on Ireland:
"Lucy has the versatility and poise to play in any position on the field. She could be a great back because of her patience and distribution skills, or she could play on the forward line. I think Lucy is going to be a great leader on our team because she is vocal and has the ability to lead by example."
Meg O'Connell
St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette
5-3, Midfield
Four-year letterwinner at Lafayette • three-time NFHCA West Regional All-America selection • 2005 NFHCA second team All-American • garnered National Academic Squad honors • two-time St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year and led the St. Louis area in scoring both years • named to the USAFH Elite program and participated in four Futures tournaments and five National Field Hockey Festivals • member of the U-16 team • became the nation's high school career assist leader her senior season • led team to the state tournament quarterfinals as a senior • played varsity soccer for three seasons and basketball for two at Lafayette • earned honor roll distinctions for her excellence in the classroom • has five siblings, Jolynn, Stacey, Kate, Charlie and Joey • Kate is a forward for the Hoosiers • daughter of Joe and Kelly Yates and Joe and Susie O'Connell • mother, Kelly Yates, coached both Meg and Kate at Lafayette.
O'Connell on her decision to attend Indiana:
"I liked everything about Indiana; the team, the coaches, the campus and the fact I get to play with my sister again."
Robertson on O'Connell:
"Meg is an all-around player who possesses great ball control, a high level of game awareness and can run forever. She is an unselfish player who is very good at distributing and making her teammates around her look good. She is a true midfielder and will be in a position to make an immediate impact."
Elizabeth Schmidt
Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy
5-5, Midfield/Back
Co-captain of Sacred Heart her senior season • garnered West Regional All-America honors • tabbed first team all-state and earned the Coaches Award in 2005 • led team to the Apple Tournament and Gateway Classic Championships in 2005 • was a Kentucky state semifinalist her junior season • earned team MVP honors in 2002 and again in 2003 • played on Dynamic which won the National Hockey Festival Championship in 2005 and the National Indoor Championship in 2004 • participated in Futures for two years and the National Futures Tournament in 2003 • two-time academic all-state selection in 2004 and 2005 • an honor roll and principal's list student • two-time nominee for the Bunny Daugherty Unsung Heroes Award • attended the same high school as current Hoosier forward Katie Kiper • has two younger sisters, Emily and Mary Kate • daughter of Joe and Robin Schmidt • mother played collegiate field hockey at Saint Louis University.
Schmidt on her decision to attend Indiana:
"I chose Indiana because I could picture myself here for the next four years succeeding both academically and athletically, as well as establishing a second family and friendships. IU has nice facilities and an encouraging support staff that believes in the future of the field hockey program. Indiana is the place where I know I can grow as a student-athlete."
Robertson on Schmidt:
"Liz sees the field very well. She can outlet the ball under pressure with accuracy to the right space. She sets up the players around her and constantly moves and readjusts her positioning on the field to provide support and anticipate transition. She is another really hard worker who displays a strong commitment to personal fitness and improvement."
Alina Valenti
Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton Area
5-5, Forward
Three-year letterwinner for Lehighton Area • led team to three consecutive Mountain Valley Conference Championships and the District 11 Championship in 2005 • named Most Offensive Player her senior season • a 2005 academic all-state selection • named second team all-conference in her final campaign in which she recorded 15 goals and 15 assists • played for the Majestyx Club Team in 2004 and the Mystics in 2005 • attended the same high school as former Hoosier standout Mallory Reabold who will graduate in May of 2006.
Valenti on her decision to attend Indiana:
"I chose Indiana because the coaches, as well as the players, made me feel like I was apart of the team before I even committed. I am really looking forward to being adopted into this big family."
Robertson on Valenti:
"The style of play that has made us successful in the past is built on speed and tenacity. Alina will provide both of these qualities to our team. She is a pure forward who has great elimination skills, is fearless on the field and is a great all-around athlete. She is also very mature and will be an important vocal leader in the future."
