Field hockey team adds new assistant

The IU field hockey team welcomed a former rival into its coaching ranks July 21, as head coach Amy Robertson announced the hiring of Beth Riley.

The 2007 University of Michigan graduate joins Robertson’s staff as the goalkeeper coach. Additionally, she will organize the team’s travels and serve as a liaison for academics and athletic training at IU.

Riley spent the last four years as an assistant at Temple University.

“I’m familiar with the Big Ten,” Riley said. “I was looking to be back in that Big Ten atmosphere like I was in my playing days. I respect Amy and Kelly as coaches and wanted to be able to learn from them and grow as a coach.”

Robertson said Riley will make an impact on the recruiting trail.

“One of the most talented field hockey regions is Pennsylvania,” Robertson said. “Beth is from Pennsylvania. She’s been coaching at some top clubs in Pennsylvania. She’s very familiar with some talented field hockey players that may be potential prospects.”

Robertson said that having a coach who works exclusively with goalkeepers will benefit the team.

“It’ll be nice to have a specialty coach, someone who knows the technical and tactical aspects of goalkeeping,” Robertson said.

Riley said she is already anticipating opposing her alma mater.

“It’ll be good to go back to Ann Arbor to play (Michigan),” Riley said. “The field hockey world is small. You pretty much know a lot of the other coaches and teams anyway. It makes it