Indiana University Athletics
2016 Season Preview: Defenders
8/21/2016 6:53:00 PM | Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana field hockey team is gearing up for their Friday, August 26 season opener versus the Louisville Cardinals, set to begin at 3:00 p.m. ET at the IU Field Hockey Complex. As the excitement ramps up to the beginning of the Hoosiers' 2016 season, a few of the players took time to preview the upcoming year.
Kicking off the weeklong preview series is redshirt junior Elle Hempt, who was named one of Indiana's captains for 2016. Hempt is one of a few upperclassmen leading the Indiana defense this season, and she hopes to continue the success from Indiana's 2015 campaign.
Last season, the Hoosier defense helped lead Indiana to a 5-3 record in the Big Ten, tallying the most single-season conference wins in program history. In their final four conference games of the regular season, Indiana's defense allowed just one goal and tallied three shutouts.
This season, the Hoosiers are tasked with filling the void left by recent graduate Sydney Supica, a 2015 All-Big Ten honoree who holds school records for single-season and career defensive saves. To do that, Indiana will rely on Hempt, senior Malia Fujisawa, and rising sophomore Nora Aucker. Fujisawa and Aucker played vital roles in a formidable four-player rotation last year, alongside Supica and returning senior Kate Barber.
Joining Indiana in the backfield this season is Kelsey Giese, a newcomer from Trappe, Pennsylvania. Giese was a two-time All-State selection, scoring 61 goals with 38 assists in her prep career. A three-time selection to the Futures Elite and Junior Olympic squads, Giese is expected to provide immediate support in the defensive third.
Stay tuned for additional previews of the goalkeepers, the midfield, and the attack as Indiana prepares for their first game of the season against Louisville on Friday, August 26.
Kicking off the weeklong preview series is redshirt junior Elle Hempt, who was named one of Indiana's captains for 2016. Hempt is one of a few upperclassmen leading the Indiana defense this season, and she hopes to continue the success from Indiana's 2015 campaign.
Last season, the Hoosier defense helped lead Indiana to a 5-3 record in the Big Ten, tallying the most single-season conference wins in program history. In their final four conference games of the regular season, Indiana's defense allowed just one goal and tallied three shutouts.
This season, the Hoosiers are tasked with filling the void left by recent graduate Sydney Supica, a 2015 All-Big Ten honoree who holds school records for single-season and career defensive saves. To do that, Indiana will rely on Hempt, senior Malia Fujisawa, and rising sophomore Nora Aucker. Fujisawa and Aucker played vital roles in a formidable four-player rotation last year, alongside Supica and returning senior Kate Barber.
Joining Indiana in the backfield this season is Kelsey Giese, a newcomer from Trappe, Pennsylvania. Giese was a two-time All-State selection, scoring 61 goals with 38 assists in her prep career. A three-time selection to the Futures Elite and Junior Olympic squads, Giese is expected to provide immediate support in the defensive third.
Stay tuned for additional previews of the goalkeepers, the midfield, and the attack as Indiana prepares for their first game of the season against Louisville on Friday, August 26.
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfield
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Defender/Midfield
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Defender
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Defender/Forward
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Defender
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Defender
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