Hoosiers Start With Scrimmage at Saint Louis

Tuesday, August 14

Saint Louis, MO

12 PM

Indiana University

Saint Louis

8/14/2018 4:39:00 PM | Field Hockey

Giese scores twice as Querry, Ananias share shutout

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The competitive preseason began in the an encouraging way for Indiana's field hockey team, who scored four goals in a scrimmage against Saint Louis at Sportport International on Tuesday afternoon. In their lone preseason contest away from home, the Hoosiers leapt to a 3-0 lead while holding the Billikens without a shot in the first half.

Kelsey Giese led the offensive charge with two goals in her four shots on target. Her first came in the 26^th minute on a superb straight shot from a penalty corner, with assists going to Nora Aucker on the insert and Taylor Swope on the stop. Junior Andi Jackson threaded an assist to Giese in the 34^th minute to complete her first half double.

Giese returns to the turf after racking up 10 points (four goals, two assists) in her 2017 sophomore season, second to only Ciara Girouard (15 points on seven goals, one assist) among returning players.

The fourth and final goal arrived late in the second half, yet it drew similar excitement to an opening goal because it came on the sticks of two newcomers. Mary Kate Kesler delivered an assist to fellow freshman Hailey Couch, who sent the ball into the boards in the 67^th minute.

The freshman connection comes as no surprise to the Indiana coaching staff and the teammates who played alongside Kesler and Couch during the preseason. Combining for 121 goals in their prep careers, the pair hope to make an immediate impact in their time on the turf.

Defensively, the Hoosiers were stout. Shelby Querry started between the pipes for the first half before switching to Sachi Ananias after the break. Both goalkeepers combined for a scrimmage shutout through regulation and the bonus overtime period.

Given that Tuesday's action was a scrimmage, Indiana and Saint Louis played out several scenarios as they push towards the regular season. Teams gained live experience with the sport's new overtime procedures—two 10-minute periods in a seven-on-seven format—and competed in a shootout to end the afternoon's activities. Querry and Ananias split goalkeeping duties for the shootout.

Up Next: Scrimmage Weekend in Bloomington
Cream & Crimson Scrimmage • Friday, August 17 • 1:00 p.m. ET
Indiana vs. Ball State • Saturday, August 18 • 1:00 p.m. ET
Both games played at the IU Field Hockey Complex (Bloomington, IN)

The Hoosiers are back in town as they continue their march toward their home opener on Friday, August 24 against Louisville, but two more preseason contests await Indiana this weekend. The annual Cream & Crimson scrimmage will split the Hoosiers down the middle for an honorary end to preseason training on Friday, August 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

On Saturday, August 18, Indiana will play another scrimmage against Ball State at 1:00 p.m. ET. Their clash with the Cardinals will be their final contest of the preseason.