Now that IU's season is complete, I'll take a look back at the accolades of the six seniors from Coach Lyon's 2008 recruiting class.
Senior midfielder Devon Beach was a constant for IU in her four-year career. She started 75 of 76 career matches. The match she did not start came during her freshman year, against Minnesota. It was a strategic plan, she said.
IU Coach Mick Lyon said she's a "pretty fearless player."
It was a characteristic that won her few - if any - friends among her opponents. She won't lose any sleep over it, however.
"I don't care what anyone else thinks about how I play," she said. "I'm not going to change my game if they think I'm a dirty player. It's my game. If they want to think that, go ahead."
Lyon said how she hates to lose - that competitiveness - drives her.
"She's one of those kids that shows up the next day and tells you 'Yeah, it hurts. So what?'" he said. "I figured Devon could go any tackle or collision and come out smiling."
Because she was switched to the midfield, she didn't (necessarily) have the opportunity to lead the team in scoring like she did at Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. Still, she attempted 83 shots her first three years and 13 as a senior. She scored two goals this season: The game-winner against Nebraska on Sept. 25 to propel the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten win, and the first goal in IU's 8-2 loss against Purdue in West Lafayette.
She finished her career with 13 goals and 10 assists (including one this season) -- good for 36 points.
Two of her 13 goals were game-winners.
Her accomplishments don't come exclusively on the pitch. In 2010, she earned Academic All-Big Ten (page 23).
