Hoosiers Commence with Regional Rivalries

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers are on the brink of their 18th varsity season, their fourth under head coach Amanda Janney Misselhorn, and this team shows promise to be the deepest of the bunch. It begins with as much intensity as one could create: two games in the Hoosier state against Indiana's biggest and closest rivals.

The season commences in its usual fashion with the Battle of the Border against No. 8 Louisville, their first of eight games against teams in the preseason rankings, followed by a trip to Ball State for a preseason rematch. Friday's game with the Louisville Cardinals, like every other home game this season, will stream live via BTN Plus on BTN2Go.com.

Corner Hits:
Leave It on the Turf
Once again, Indiana will look to leadership from a talent-laden senior class that's embedded in all parts of the turf. Claire Woods provides a dynamic option on a forward line loaded with promising underclassmen. Taylor Swope, Indiana's Hustle Award-winner in 2017, continues to make the extra effort everywhere in the midfield to set up counterattacks.

Anchoring the backline are Nora Aucker, a three-year starter with a knack for goals on penalty corners, and Elle Hempt, who returns to the Hoosiers for a sixth season after earning an additional medical redshirt. Hempt provides a deft long ball from the back and powerful strikes on attack penalty corners.

Oh Captains, Our Captains
Indiana announced their 2018 team captains during the preseason, as decided by the players. Hempt and Aucker return to captaincy after serving as on-field leaders in 2017. Swope, a fellow senior, joins the group alongside junior Ciara Girouard.

Watch Out!
The Big Ten Conference named senior Taylor Swope, junior Kelsey Giese, and junior Ciara Girouard to their 2018 Preseason watch list. Girouard, Indiana's leading returning scorer, looks for a breakout season in her third year.
Giese moves from central midfield to the backline, giving Indiana a robust defensive unit, but she will get her scoring chances on attack corners and breaks up the field. Both Giese and Girouard have started in all 39 games of their first two seasons.

Clashing with Cardinals
Indiana's opening weekend games are significant out-of-conference contests, for Louisville and Ball State are the closest teams to Bloomington on the NCAA Field Hockey map. As such, both opponents create heated rivalries. Indiana's game with No. 8 Louisville, also known as the "Battle of the Border", will be the 18th in the series. Indiana seeks their first win over Louisville since 2012.

The Hoosiers and Ball State are also set for their 18th meeting on Sunday. Indiana holds a 12-5 series lead and have won the last four games against the Cardinals.

Fresh Faces
The Hoosiers welcomed several new members to their coaching and support staff in the offseason. Nicole Volgraf (2011-15) and Pim van Paassen join Indiana as assistant coaches; IU Rowing alum Lanie Deppe guides Indiana through athletic performance, and Ali Crouch became IU's new athletic trainer. Additionally, six newcomers join the IU roster as freshmen in 2018.

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Players Mentioned

Ciara Girouard

Elle Hempt

Indiana University Athletics