Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Face Ball State and Louisville in Preseason Scrimmages
8/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 18, 2009
Click here to watch an interview with senior Meg O'Connell.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana field hockey team will travel to Muncie, Ind., on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to face Ball State in its first of two preseason scrimmages before opening the regular season on Friday, Aug. 28.
The Hoosiers face the Cardinals at 1 p.m. ET at the BSU Field Hockey Complex. Indiana will then travel to Louisville for a 4 p.m. scrimmage at Trager Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Indiana returns 16 letterwinners, including a class of seven seniors led by Alina Valenti and 2008 second team All-Big Ten honoree Meg O'Connell. Valenti led the Hoosiers in points (17), with O'Connell tallying a team-best 39 shots. The duo also scored seven goals a piece on the season. The Hoosiers also return seniors Haley Funk and Lucy Ireland, junior Kelsey Kiper and sophomore Corey Brautigam, all of whom appeared in all 20 games in 2008.
IU also returns defender Mutsa Mutembwa, who led the Hoosiers with three defensive saves, while starting 17 of 19 games on the season. The Hoosiers lose defensive back Dani Castro, but returns redshirt sophomore Brenna Moeljadi, missed the majority of the season due to an injury, but tallied five shots on goal in four appearances. Moeljadi was named to the U.S. Junior National squad prior to the 2008 season. Senior Brittney Hacken also returns after filling in for the injured Moeljadi last year. Hacken had one defensive save and one goal on 12 shots in 15 starts.
The Hoosiers open the regular season with six consecutive away games, beginning with games in Richmond, Va., against American University (Aug. 28, 11 a.m.) and Richmond (Aug. 30, 2 p.m.). IU opens the home slate on Saturday, Sept. 19, when it hosts Ball State at 1 p.m. on the IU Field Hockey Field.
