IU faces No. 14 team to open regular season

After an injury-filled 7-13 season last year, IU spent its summer working to ensure a better 2009 mark.

“We made a huge commitment in the off season to get more fit, more disciplined and to gain more experience on the field,” IU field hockey coach Amy Robertson said.

The Hoosiers return six seniors and a pool of talented underclassmen back from injury. IU will test out its revamped lineup Friday against No. 14 American at 11 a.m. at Crenshaw Field in Richmond, Va.

Leading the Hoosiers are senior forward Alina Valenti and midfielder Meg O’Connell, who tied with six goals last season.

IU has won its first two preseason scrimmages, with a total of seven goals to only one goal for the opposition.

Young talent has led the Hoosiers this preseason. Redshirt sophomore back Brenna Moeljadi scored two goals in IU’s 3-0 Aug. 19 exhibition victory against Ball State. Another redshirt freshman, Morgan Fleetwood, scored two goals against No. 14 Louisville in an Aug. 22 win.

American will test IU’s preseason success. The Eagles are picked to win the Patriot League for a seventh consecutive season. American was 13-8 last season and has posted a record of 133-62 in 10 years under American field hockey coach Steve Jennings.

Leading the Eagles is junior forward Christine Fingerhuth, a 2008 NFHCA third team All-American and Savannah Graybill, two-time All-Patriot league selection. They also have last year’s Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in senior midfielder Anne-Meike De Wiljes.

Despite American’s talent, junior forward Katie Griswold said her team is secure in its capabilities.
 
“We are confident about our game,” she said. “We have a lot of momentum from last season.”