7 IU seniors to play final home game against Pacific on Sunday

On Sunday against Pacific, seven field hockey seniors will play their last game at the IU Field Hockey Field.

The senior class includes Haley Funk, Brittany Hacken, Lucy Ireland, Mutsa Mutembwa (a senior academically), Meg O’Connell, Elizabeth Schmidt and Alina Valenti.

This senior class is special because of the number of players that are included in it.

“I think our senior day is meaningful ’cause we are a really large class,” Ireland said.

Ireland and midfielder O’Connell made the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division-I Senior All-Star roster.

On Nov. 21, they will play the senior game at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“Their achievements are really impressive,” IU coach Amy Robertson said. “They’ve lead by example on the field and in the classroom.”

Ireland has made an important impact on the defensive end in the 44 games she’s started in her career.

O’Connell has had 15 goals, 11 assists and 88 shots in 69 games.

These seniors have seen a development in their field hockey skills and growth as people.

“I think from being a part of this program, I have learned responsibility, how to be a team player and how to make decisions not just for myself, but for others as well,” Ireland said.

Working together as teammates has forged relationships for all of them.

“This group of seniors are so close because they are a lot alike,” Robertson said.
Along with their similar personalities, time spent training in their sport has benefitted the senior group.

“The last four years together, we have spent a lot of time training in the off-season and working together as a team,” Schmidt said. “Plus, it’s our last time wearing the cream and crimson jersey on our home field.”

The seniors credited their coaches with crafting them into the players – and women – they are today.

“The coaches have really pushed my fitness, and my attacking skills have grown,” Ireland said.

These competitors have met many people and experienced many things that have changed their lives.

“Over the past four years, I have met so many people that have come in and out of my life that have inspired me in a different ways,” Valenti said.

The underclassmen are not just teammates, but friends.

“I will miss having so many close friends that you spend so much time with every day,” Schmidt said.

The seniors hope that the cycle of the upperclassmen helping the underclassmen continues once they leave.

“I hope that we’ve taught the younger players a lot about leadership and filling in,” Ireland said.

Robertson wants the seniors to use the skills they’ve learned in Bloomington in their futures.

“I hope they learn how to self-lead and make choices that empower them to lead the life that they want,” Robertson said.

The No. 20 Hoosiers play Penn State at 3 p.m. Friday and Pacific on Sunday for their last game on their home turf this season. More than the sport, the seniors will miss the team atmosphere they have experienced at IU.

“I’ll miss having 22 sisters and a big family that supports you,” Valenti said.