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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Interpreted word for word, the women's soccer team's goal for the 2001 season may not seem profound. But coach Joe Kelley maintains that if his team plays its hardest, the Hoosiers can expect an improvement on last year's 8-9-1 record.\n"It may sound so trite, but we just want to play really well. Every game we want to compete," Kelley said. "We want to go out and play with pride and outwork the other team. Beyond that obviously we're judged by wins and losses. It would be great if things fell our way, but we've got to make our breaks."\nExperience will not be a problem for the the team, which returns 10 starters and 12 of its top 13 scorers from last season. Combined with talented newcomers such as Butler transfer Kara Bryan, last year's Midwest Collegiate Conference player of the year, and freshmen Carrie Fry and Kim Grodek, the team has the pieces in place for the season.\nKelley said along with a talented returning roster, the team has also enjoyed a strong two weeks of practice.\n"Our intensity has been outstanding. I think that (the coaching staff has) pushed them really hard both mentally and physically," Kelley said. "They've been frustrated, which is good. We meant to do that. They've fought it and I love their intensity in practice and even when they're tired and frustrated, they've worked really hard."\nKelley said no player has distinguished themselves during the past two weeks of practice, but singled out senior midfielder Kelly Kram as showing strong leadership during practice.\n"Everybody has (played well). Recently, I think Kelly Kram has stepped up," Kelley said. "She's so talented. I don't think, sometimes, she realizes how talented she is. She's a leader. More so than not, in the past three days of practice, she's really taking over. Truthfully, they've all done great."\nKram has embraced the senior leadership role, but also says the Hoosier roster is full of leaders.\n"I think everyone (is a leader), when you step on the field, it doesn't matter who the leader is," Kram said.\nReturning so many players has resulted in positive team chemistry for the Hoosiers.\n"I love the girls; they're great. Everyone is getting along so good," Kram said. "We're starting to come together as a team and play really well."\nSophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty agrees that the entire team has proved themselves in practice and is ready to get the season under way this Sunday against Cincinnati at Butler University's Kuntz Field.\n"Our team has really come along well together," Daugherty said. "In particular, (sophomore midfielder Emily) Hotz and Kram are just dominating in the midfield. Our defense is coming together so well."\nAll the pieces appear to be in place, and while the team is simplifying its goals for the upcoming season, there is at least one accomplishment the Hoosiers say they have their eye on.\n"Hopefully, in the longer run, an NCAA bid would be amazing," Kram said.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Tonight's season opener with Cincinnati at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis is important for the women's soccer team for two reasons.\nFirst, there's a measure of revenge involved for the Hoosiers who lost last year to the Bearcats on an own-goal in the 54th minute.\nMore importantly, coach Joe Kelley said, is that Cincinnati is the first opponent on the Hoosiers schedule and a team he feels his squad can "do some things against."\n"They're important, because they're our (first) opponent. Last year's team will take a little bit of something from it, but I don't try to use revenge as a factor. We have to avoid the emotional roller-coaster," Kelley said.\nStill, Kelley and the Hoosiers said they view the Bearcats as a team that plays in their part of the country and as a team the Hoosiers ought to be able to execute against.\n"We look at them and see a team that's very talented," Kelley said. "We see a team that's in the region, which is very important. \nIt's a team we're going to have to go out and play very well against. But it is also a team that we can really take advantage of, if we use our strengths."\nWith this being the first regular season contest for the Hoosiers, Kelley's looking for the Hoosiers to come out and execute some of the things the team has worked on in practice.\n "We are really pushing to be better in all aspects of the game -- offense and defense," Kelley said. "We've done really well in segments. It's going to take a little to put it together, but it's coming. You can't expect everything to work perfectly now."\n Sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty said the Hoosiers have added some new wrinkles to the offense that the team will be looking to implement as the season gets underway.\n"We've been working on some things; we've added some new formations," Daugherty said. "We just want to go out and do what we are capable of against (Cincinnati)."\nSenior midfielder Kelly Kram said the season opener is important because the Hoosiers want to prove to themselves that all the hard work they've put in leading up to the season has paid off.\n"They beat us 1-0 last year, and it was on an own goal. We just need to put them in their place. We need to prove to ourselves how hard we worked this off-season," Kram said.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The more things change, the more they just stay the same. Last season, junior Kara Bryan scored 23 points for Butler, en route to becoming the Midwestern Collegiate Conference's player of the year.\nNow Butler is a thing of the past for Bryan, but she might hardly realize it. After transferring to IU in the spring, Bryan opened up the season this fall with two games at Kuntz stadium -- Butler's home field. Not to mention the fact that tonight's game at Kuntz is against Bryan's old team.\nFor her part, Bryan doesn't regret the fact she's had to return to her old stomping grounds one bit.\n"I love Indy and I like Kuntz Field. Plus, it was nice to see all my friends and family," Bryan said after the Hoosiers opened their season with a 1-0 victory over Cincinnati in Indianapolis.\nAfter Bryan wrapped up last season as a Bulldog, the thought crossed her mind that she wanted to make a move to a school with a higher level of competition. Combine that with the fact that she wanted to move out of Indianapolis -- where she had lived her entire life -- and Indiana became a perfect fit for the junior midfielder.\n"There were quite a few factors. One being I wanted to get a little bit further away from home. Two, I wanted to play in the Big Ten. It's a little bit more physical, and the speed of play and the competition they have," she said.\nAnother factor that weighed on Bryan's decision to come to Bloomington was that both her parents are IU graduates.\n"She was looking to play in the Big Ten and step up to better competition. She has aspirations to play at a higher level," Kara's dad, Galinton Bryan, said. "Both of her parents graduated from IU, so it was good for us to see her come down."\nThe decision to leave Butler and come to IU was not one Kara made lightly, but in the end she had been pleased with her decision.\n"She had made a list of pros and cons and talked to people and it was a very difficult decision for her to make. It was totally initiated by her," Kara's mother, Alice Bryan, said. "We just supported her process, and IU was a school she had played against and liked the level of play and felt she could fit in and contribute."\nNow that she's a Hoosier, her new coaches and teammates have been more than happy to have Kara on their side.\n"She brings a lot of sophistication to the game. She's very good with the ball," coach Joe Kelley said. "She compliments and fits in very well with both Kelly (Kram) and Emily (Hotz) in the midfield. And she brings a certain level of confidence. I don't think you've seen nearly what she can offer."\n"Kara's been a great addition. She gives us so many scoring chances. In practice, I know as soon as she gets the ball, we all turn around and look for Kara's feet, because she'll make it happen," sophomore halfback Erin Hesselbach added.\nAlthough Kara did play against the Bulldogs in the spring, tonight's game will be her first regular season competition against her old team, and emotions are high heading into the contest.\n"It's going to be a big emotional thing for me. I know a lot of girls on the team, obviously, and I still talk to a few of them," Bryan said. "I respect their team a lot and we have to go in there like any other game. They're going to come out ready to play. So we can't take them lightly at all"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Practice can pay off. Just ask the women's soccer team. \nThe Hoosiers spent the last half hour of practice Monday preparing for a scoring situation identical to the one that presented itself in the second half of yesterday's game against Butler at Kuntz Field in Indianapolis. \nThe end result was sophomore Carly Everett hitting a set kick toward the goal on the right side to junior midfielder, and Butler transfer, Kara Bryan. Bryan deflected the ball to sophomore Emily Hotz, who scored the game's only goal as Indiana downed the Bulldogs 1-0.\n"It was tough. We fought hard. I knew it wasn't going to be a blowout by any means," Bryan said. "I'm really proud of the girls tonight. All it takes is one goal.\n"We've been working a lot on our set pieces. Carly played a perfect ball in, Hotz came on, she was right there for a perfect ball on the net. \n"When you spend that much time on something in practice, you hope it pays off."\nHotz echoed Bryan's sentiment that working on the play payed dividends for the Hoosiers. \n"It was a perfect pass from Carly," Hotz said. "We've been practicing restarts and she's been practicing hitting them and everything. The ball could not have been more perfectly placed to my feet."\nAs a whole, the team played well, keeping the ball in Butler territory for most of the game and virtually the entire second half. The play was a noticeable turnaround from last game, against Cincinnati, where the Hoosiers said they played somewhat sloppily.\n"This game was 100 percent better than the last game. We were so much more controlled," Hotz said. "I would definitely say we had control the whole game."\nWith its first two wins out of the way, IU is building up momentum heading into the heart of its schedule, before conference play begins.\n"If we can get these first few wins out of the way and go in with some confidence, then we can make some noise in the Big Ten," sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty said.\nDespite its 2-0 record, the team came into this game looking for noticeable improvement from its first outing. In terms of doing so, it was mission accomplished.\n"It was like night and day. We were much better organized. We were much more relaxed with the ball and we created a lot of opportunities," coach Joe Kelley said. "We're still just one touch and one pass away from making things happen in the final third, but I thought we did really well tonight"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
There are humble athletes, and then there's Kim Grodek.\nTuesday, the freshman midfielder was blushing after a mock-autograph request from assistant coach Wendy Dillinger after a brief photo shoot. Dillinger might have been joking, but if Grodek continues her current level of play, the next autograph request she gets might be sincere.\nThis season, she has scored three goals for the women's soccer team, two which have been game winners, and one which sent Indiana (3-1) into over-time with then No. 3 Notre Dame. Grodek's clutch performances have aided an offense that has been good enough to win, but still has only managed one goal per contest.\n"I don't know if she's a surprise; we expected her to come in and make an impact. She's done very, very well and I'm really pleased and happy about that," coach Joe Kelley said of his top goal-scorer. "We're 3-1. Do I hope we score more goals? Yeah, I do, but we're working hard and getting better. We just have to put them away."\nIt's difficult to say where the Hoosiers would be without the 2000 Illinois player of the year, but Grodek spreads the credit to her teammates and refuses to relish her early season accomplishments.\n"There's no need for it. It's a team sport, so I don't like to say what I've done," Grodek said. "My teammates have made it easy for me."\nFreshman Carrie Fry is more lavish in her praise of her friend and teammate.\nShe's handled (her success) incredibly well," Fry said. "You'd think that somebody with that talent and that skill, who's leading the team, it would get to her head. But she's not cocky at all about it.\n"I have to brag for her in the dorms. People will ask, 'hey did you guys win?' And I have to be like, 'yeah, and she scored the winning goal in overtime.'"\nFor all Grodek's offensive excellence, Kelley said he believes that with her only being a freshman, there's still room for improvement.\n"She's the type of player that will be able to continue to help us and to get better as she goes along," he said.\nAnd Grodek, for her part, is sitting on the laurels of being the team's offensive leader so far. On the other hand, she's prepared to continue improvement on a career that's gotten off to such an impressive start.\n"Goals aren't everything. It's good to score," Grodek said. "But it doesn't show the whole way you've played. I still haven't been playing up to my potential. I still know I can do better. I guess I'll never be happy"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Experience will not be something the women's basketball team will be lacking this season. The team's top two returnees -- seniors Jill Chapman and Heather Cassady -- have started a combined 153 games in their college careers.\nWhat a luxury, then, that coach Kathi Bennett was able to add junior Kristen Bodine to her squad. \nBodine, a transfer from Butler who sat out last season but practiced with the team, is penciled in to start at the point guard for the Hoosiers this season. \nWhile this will be Bodine's first season suiting up for Indiana, she has already started 25 games at the college level, and in 2000 was named second team All-Midwest Collegiate conference after she led the Bulldogs in scoring (12.2 ppg) and assists (5.2 apg).\n"(Kristen is) a fierce competitor. Kristen is someone that hates to lose," Bennett said. "When the game's on the line, she's going to find a way to get it done, and I think her biggest asset is how much of a competitor she is."\nAdding the 5'11'' Martinsville High School graduate will also allow the team to move Cassady to the shooting guard spot when Bodine is on the floor. \nBennett hopes this will help the team in several ways. She hopes having a Bodine-Cassady backcourt will help free up Cassady for more scoring chances, improve the team's transition game and help the team take care of the ball more efficiently.\n"When Kristen is in, Heather is going to be the two, and I think it frees Heather up, because she's such a great shooter and she has such a quick release," Bennett said. "Heather does a great job of coming off screens. So I think two is a position where she is really going to excel in.\n"I feel like I have two top-notch point guards. When they're both on the floor, hopefully we can take care of the ball really well."\nWith the Hoosiers coming of a campaign where the team barely missed the NCAA tournament, this season will be key for the program taking the next step. The addition of Bodine will help make that step a little easier.\n"Who wouldn't like to be relied on. I want to be able to help the team. I want to be part of the success of the program," Bodine said. "They already showed last year how successful they can be. I'm just hoping I can add to it."\nCassady believes the addition of Bodine is sure to improve the team's already strong backcourt play.\n"Kristen brings a lot of things. She can penetrate, and she gets to the middle really well," Cassady said. "She can penetrate and dish, or if my player doesn't help, she can just take it to the hole."\nBodine is excited to play along side one of the top shooters in the conference and she said she thinks Cassady compliments her game very well and vice versa.\n"I just know that she's a tremendous shooter. We're going to try to get her in a position where she can score," Bodine said. "I've always been the one to give up the ball, push it up the floor, find the open person. But I'm not afraid to let her run the one and have me come off screens."\nComing off a season in which she was a second team All-Big Ten selection, Cassady said she believes the addition of Bodine gives IU two of the Big Ten's best guards.\n"She'll be one of the best point guards in the conference. Kristen's an incredible player," Cassady said. "I think we're starting to get to know each other a lot better. I'm really looking forward to playing along side her this season"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Chances are Butler won't show the women's basketball team anything they haven't already seen early this season. At 0-4 Butler is losing by 35 points on average. IU on the other hand has faced two top ten teams in Stanford and North Carolina State, and while the Hoosiers came up short in those two games, the experience of playing top teams has prepared the Hoosiers for the rest of its non-conference schedule. \nTonight when Indiana (1-2) heads to the Hinkle Fieldhouse to play Butler, the team is concentrating on just getting a win under its belt.\n"The competition we've gone against has been incredible, and I felt that NC State played really good team defense. They will be one of the best defensive teams we've gone against," coach Kathi Bennett said. "It showed in that we really struggled to score, and our shooting percentage was low, but I think in the long-run it will help us.\n"We need to taste a win, and no matter how ugly it is, we got to dig one out. I think we need that so we can get confidence in ourselves."\nIU will likely be without starting point guard Kristen Bodine. The junior injured her knee in the IU's 50-44 loss to the Wolfpack on Friday. Bodine, who transferred from Butler a year ago, will visit an orthopedic surgeon today to find out the extent of her injury. After the NC State game, Bennett feared the injury might be a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would probably end Bodine's season.\nIn Bodine's absence, the team will call on a trio of guards to step up and fill the void. Bennett has not decided who among freshman Jenny DeMuth, junior Khisha Asubuhi, or junior Jill Hartman will start in Bodine's place. The plan at this time is to move senior Heather Cassady over to point guard, where she played her first three seasons in Bloomington, with DeMuth, Asubuhi or Hartman taking over at the off guard.\n"We're waiting, (Bodine) needs to see the orthopedic surgeon (today). We're going to have to have some people step up. Jenny, and Jill, and Khisha are going to have to step up. Heather definitely will be the (point)," Bennett said.\n"Coach told me I'm going to need to step up, but I'm just going to try to fill her shoes, because her shoes are huge shoes to fill. It's a challenge, but I think our team will be all right," DeMuth said of replacing Bodine.\nFor now, the battle-tested Hoosiers are keying in on notching a win and trying to get a winning-streak going.\n"I think it'll definitely help our confidence and get us on the right track," senior wing Tara Jones said. "I think (our confidence) is still high. We came out of last weekend feeling good about the (North Carolina State) game. We got accomplished some things we wanted to, and one was stopping a top ten team defensively. We know we can do it now"
(12/03/01 5:59am)
IU is more than just seniors Jill Chapman and Heather Cassady. That was apparent Friday night against Illinois State with a 101-53 Hoosier victory. In that game, juniors Jill Hartman and Allison Skapin turned in strong performances off the bench for IU, scoring 18 and 10 points, respectively. The end result was two unfamiliar faces sitting next to coach Kathi Bennett in the post-game press conference. \n"You ever been here before?" Bennett asked Hartman as the trio sat down for the post-game interviews.\n"Uh-huh," Hartman said as she nodded. "A while ago."\nThe loss of junior point guard Kristen Bodine to injury for the season has meant other players have to step up for IU. Friday, it was Hartman and Skapin who stood out, among others.\n"We got everybody stepping up. We understand that we're going to do everything together," Bennett said. "We've gotten better play out of people already. I think everybody understands that individually we have to get better, so we can get better as a team. We're very motivated at this time."\nIn the first half, Skapin was all over the floor. Bringing her strong work ethic to the Hoosier frontcourt, Skapin scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in seven minutes. Her strong play was something Bennett said she has been looking for off the bench in the frontcourt. Bennett said Skapin's strong game was typical of her overall improved play this season.\n"She's improved so much. I think all of our post players have. I think Jamie (Gathing) and (Skapin), and Erika (Christenson), and Jelena (Lazic) have all stepped up," Bennett said.\nSkapin took her strong game in stride, saying she was out there doing her job.\n"I just want to carry over what I do in practice and help out the team the best I can. On the boards, that's what I need to do," Skapin said. "They gave me a job to do and I just wanted to do the best I could. I went in there and did the best I could, I thought it turned out OK."\nHartman's strong game shooting from the outside was also a welcome sight for Bennett. Hartman is part of a trio of guards, along with freshman Jenny DeMuth and junior Khisha Asubuhi, who are being asked to replace Bodine. Hartman had her best game of the season Friday, scoring 18 on 6-of-6 shooting from the floor, and 4-for-5 from the free throw line.\n"I spent a lot of time this summer working on my shot and I think it feels just a lot more natural," Hartman said.\nHartman's best shot of the night came on the Hoosiers' last possession. With 11seconds remaining, SIU called a time-out. With 99 points on the board, IU wanted to crack triple digits and they called on Hartman. Hartman got the ball and hit a tough shot on the right side.\n"We were just going to run a play off a flare. I didn't get the ball right away. I knew everyone wanted to get over the 100-point mark. And I was really determined to get a shot off"
(11/30/01 4:57am)
The women's basketball team learned something in its 97-72 win against Butler Wednesday. \nWinning isn't everything. \nAlthough the outcome of the game was never really in question, the Hoosiers dominating the whole way, IU left the locker room in Hinkle Fieldhouse with almost a look of defeat on their faces. Almost.\nGetting a win under their belts was important for a Hoosier team that has played with No. 7 Stanford and No. 9 North Carolina State. At 2-2, the Hoosiers are now ready to continue to improve and add to their two game win streak.\n"We've never been in a situation before (where we are favored)," coach Kathi Bennett said prior to Wednesday's game with the Bulldogs. "I don't know how we'll respond."\nThe team responded with a showing that Bennett was not satisfied with, especially defensively, as the Hoosiers surrendered over 70 points to a winless Butler team.\n"You're always happy when you get a win. The danger is that the win can't cloud the things we got to improve on, which are a lot. I think our defense has to get a lot better."\nRight after the game, IU knew what they had to work on: defense.\n"I'd say transition defense is what we'll need to work on," junior forward Jamie Gathing said after the Butler game.\nThat brings the team to this weekend and the Hoosier's Holiday Inn/Fazoli's Classic. Friday night, IU will play the winless Redbirds of Illinois State. At 0-3, ISU has struggled early this season, mostly recently falling to Louisville, 72-58. The IU-ISU winner will battle Sunday with either Murray State (2-2) or North Arizona (4-0) who meet in the first round. North Arizona has dominated its competition, beating all but one opponent by a margin of 15 points or more.\nShowing all due respect to the other three teams in the Classic, IU views itself as the favorite and is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to build its confidence level and improve its over-all play, especially on the defensive end.\n"I think we need to win our tournament, and then go out to Washington and win those games too (in the Pac 10/Big Ten challenge)," senior center Jill Chapman said.
(11/28/01 5:39am)
Indianapolis -- Did they win? Yes, 97-72. Were they happy about it? \n"Not really," coach Kathi Bennett said. "I felt like we were really flat to start the game out, and I felt like our defense was not really good. And I think we can be a better defensive team. \n"We did some good things. I don't want to say we did anything good, but I feel like we can play a lot better. We're going to have to get a lot better."\nFor a team wanting to take on a defensive personality, allowing winless Butler (0-5) to put 70 on the scoreboard didn't get the job done, the team felt.\n"I think we could have had a better intensity level. We want to be known for our defense, and giving up 70 points is not going to make us tune up," junior forward Jamie Gathing said. "I think the major thing we're going to work on is transition defense. It's something that needs to be repetitive."\nThe first half went pretty much as planned for the Hoosiers. Senior Jill Chapman scored 17 points to move into seventh place on Indiana's all-time scoring list. IU hounded the Bulldogs defensively from the opening tip. Save a handful of 3-point baskets by BU, IU's defense was exceptional.\nAfter a three-pointer by Marcia Marchesano cut the Hoosier lead to 13-9, IU went on a game-breaking run and extended its lead to 29-13. Butler did manage to cut the lead to 10 points, at 31-21, before IU regrouped and went up 50-31. \nAt the half, the Hoosiers were eyeing triple-digits with a 52-36 lead at the break. IU did all that despite having senior guard Heather Cassady play a mere 11 minutes. Bennett benching Cassady, coupled with the loss of junior point guard Kristen Bodine, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, allowed for Jenny DeMuth to see more minutes. The freshman from Highland, Ind., had eight points and seven rebounds.\nIn the second half, the Hoosiers picked up where they left off. With just under five minutes to play, the lead had ballooned to 30 points, 91-61. Scrappy play by senior Tara Jones, Cassady, and sophomore Jamie Gathing was key for the Hoosiers in the second half.\nChapman finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead IU. Four other players also scored in double digits, including Jones with 15, DeMuth with 14 and Cassady with 11.\nAsked if she was pleased with the team's effort, Chapman echoed her coach's sentiment.\n"Not really. Them scoring 70 points on us is ridiculous," Chapman said. "We need to compete at our level not their level"
(11/15/01 5:09am)
Cindy Valentin, the top girls prep basketball player in Bloomington and a top recruit in the state of Indiana, has signed a letter of intent to play at IU.\nYesterday in the principal's office at Bloomington High School South, Valentin made good on her verbal commitment from the spring and signed with the Hoosiers. The signing capped off a remarkable two days for Valentin. Just the night before her No. 9 Panthers upset Terre Haute South, the top-ranked team in the state. Valentin's close family was on hand for the occasion.\n"I was surprised, I didn't think they were going to offer me (a scholarship) early. I'm just happy I get to stay close to my friends and family and have the opportunity to play in the Big Ten," Valentin said.\nThe 5'8 wing player said she wasn't considering IU until Kathi Bennett took the head coaching job and improved the team.\n"I never even thought about IU until last year, when coach Bennett came in," Valentin said. "She improved the program a lot. I started going to the games and I talked to the coaches and some of the players. I really like the way she coaches, she is such a motivator."\nValentin said she was happy to be able to stay in town, close to her tightly-knit family.\n"I think it's good that my parents can come to my games. We're really close," Valentin said.\nCindy's mom, Berky Alvarez-Valentin agreed it wasn't until a year ago her daughter considered the Hoosiers program, because of an infatuation for a certain east coast basketball powerhouse. After hearing Bennett speak and getting to meet the coach, the entire family was won over.\n"Cindy always dreamed of going to Duke. She'd say, 'I'm going to Duke.' Every year I heard, 'Duke, Duke, Duke,'" Berky said. "It wasn't until last year when she started to say IU. The first time we saw coach Bennett, we went to a luncheon and she was such a motivated speaker and (Cindy) was impressed by her."\nCindy's father, Juan Valentin, said IU also impressed the family by recruiting his daughter as an individual, unlike some other programs, where recruits are a faceless serial number.\n"We've been to some team gatherings and it's like a family. I don't believe (Cindy) is going to be a number, like at some of these other universities that we looked at," Juan said. "For instance, we went to Illinois, and we were just a number with a bunch of recruits. (Indiana was) more individualized."\nThird year Bloomington South coach Larry Winters believes IU is getting a special player. This season, Cindy is averaging an impressive 21.9 ppg.\n"She's made a tremendous impact (at BHSS) from the standpoint that not only is she a good player, but she's a great person and a great student," Winters said. "Not only do people from our school and our faculty like and respect her, but people from all over the state respect what she's done.\n"She's improved her game. Every year she's added something different to her basketball game."\nCindy's self-description reads like a prototype for a coach Bennett player.\n"I play with a lot of heart. I'm a hustler. I'll always work hard," a somewhat bashful Valentin said.\nWinters has seen Cindy put in the extra effort over the years to maker herself a Division I caliber player.\n"A lot of players in the state have potential. It takes a little bit of extra work for it to come out," Winters said. "She'd stay late, she'd come early. She'd put in extra work, not just on the court, but in the weight room. She's put in a lot of time to have the opportunity to play for a team like Indiana."\nThe strong academic reputation of the business school also played a role in Valentin's decision to come to IU. Her mom believes that IU's strong academics will help her daughter after her basketball career is finished.\n"I really feel privileged for her to go to a great academic school," Berky said. "She's going to be going to the business school. That was our main concern that she went to a school that if basketball for some reason ended for her, she'd be helped. Being close to home is a bonus"
(10/29/01 5:36am)
Public address announcer Jeff Smith made the declaration with two minutes remaining in Friday night's women's soccer match. At the time, IU trailed Purdue 1-0. A Northwestern win combined with an IU loss on Friday night would mean the Hoosiers would not advance to the Big Ten tournament, Nov. 8-11 at Purdue. \n"We have a score in from Madison," Smith said. "Northwestern has won in overtime 1-0. If this scenario does not change, Indiana will not advance to the Big Ten tournament in Lafayette."\nThe scenario did not change. Purdue held on to beat IU 1-0, sending the Hoosiers to their fifth consecutive conference loss and ruining the team's post-season goals.\n"This is the hardest game to walk off the field with," senior midfielder Kelly Kram said. "I've never wanted to win a game more in my entire life."\nPurdue's Emily Whetter scored the game's only goal when she broke in front of the box, took a pass from sophomore forward Annette Kent and put the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty at the 28:42 mark. The Boilermakers outshot the Hoosiers in the first half.\n"We played hard and we had our chances. It's just unfortunate, they scored a soft goal," coach Joe Kelley said. "I thought either team could have won this game. It's just sad we didn't. It's too bad."\nIn the second half, IU (7-7-1, 3-6-1) turned in another dominating performance, keeping the ball in Purdue's third for most of the half. Again, IU was unable to take advantage of its opportunities and the end result was the team's fifth straight conference loss.\n"I wish I could credit it to something mental or physical, but I think a lot of it was just tough luck, unfortunately," Kelley said of the team's losing streak. "How many times tonight did the ball just bounce around the goal? It just didn't go in."\nKram and the rest of the Hoosiers have become familiar with outplaying their opponents but not walking away with the victory.\n"(The ball) just doesn't want to go in. It is very typical," Kram said. "I would say that Purdue is no better than us, but they walked off the better team."\nEntrenched in battle, the players on the field were unaware they would need a win to save their season. It wasn't until the bitter end the Hoosiers realized a conference appearance wasn't going to happen.\n"Down to 10 seconds left in the game and they had a goal kick, I thought we were going to pull through," junior midfielder Kara Bryan said. "Everything we worked for in the season is really not there. We have so much heart and we worked so hard. It is so disappointing."\nIU 3, Indiana State 0\nSunday, the Hoosiers ended their losing streak by downing Indiana State 3-0. Kram, Bryan and sophomore Kelly Gruszka tallied goals for Indiana as the Hoosiers completely controlled the match. IU outshot the Sycamores 16-1.\n"Indiana State is a young program. We were obviously better than them and that is the way it should be," Kelley said. "I don't think we scored as many goals as we should have but I am proud of our team for their effort today"
(10/22/01 5:56am)
Despite dominating most of the game and the entire second half, the women's soccer team fell, 3-2, to Iowa at Bill Armstrong Stadium, extending its losing streak to four games.\nDown 2-1 at the half, IU came out and controlled the entire second half, keeping the ball around Iowa's third of the field. Freshman forward Kim Grodek tied the contest at the 56:12 mark, when she buried a shot past freshman Iowa keeper Britta Vogele off a perfect pass from sophomore forward Shelly Gruszka. \nBut the goal was the only damage the Hoosiers could manage, despite many second half opportunities. After the game, coach Joe Kelley said he was disappointed the team could not take advantage of its play and score more.\n"In the second half, the only thing Iowa didn't do was give us the money for the clinic we gave them," coach Joe Kelley said. "It's hard to say this when you lose, but there was only one team out there."\nOne key to the Hoosiers' second half domination was an adjustment made by Kelley at the half. Iowa All-Big Ten junior forward Sarah Lynch scored a goal and assisted on another in the first half, forcing Kelley to try to take away the Hawkeye's key offensive weapon. In the second half, the Hoosiers silenced Lynch, until the 78:39 mark when Lynch drilled a direct kick past replacement goalkeeper sophomore Kristen Pimlott for her second goal, giving Iowa the win.\n"They put five people in the mid (field) and three in the back and they took control of the mid (field)," Lynch said. "So it was harder for me to get the ball in the second half."\nThe win was important for Iowa, with both teams entering the match even in the Big Ten standings. Iowa (6-8-1, 4-4-1) moved ahead of IU (6-6-1, 3-5-1).\n"This is huge. We're on the road; we're 4-4-1 in the conference now," Lynch said. "We had the same record as they did so just winning on their home turf means a lot."\nFor its part, IU did win a spot in the Big Ten tournament by default, as its 10 points in the standings ensures the team will achieve one of its goals and compete in the Big Ten tournament, Nov. 8-11 at Purdue. Still, IU was left searching for answers after it dominated the game but was unable to come away with the win.\n"It was a big game. We needed a boost in confidence," Gurska said. "We just got unlucky again. We had some tough breaks on goals."\nIU did not help its own cause in the first half, either. An Iowa foul gave IU a set kick from just outside the box. Sophomore defender Carly Everett sent a misguided kick off Gruszka, who had her back turned. The ball bounced outside the box to the right of the goal, before Lynch found the ball and drilled a shot from 20 yards past sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty for Iowa's first goal of the game. Kelley said the goal was a devastating one for the Hoosiers to allow, because the mistake put IU down early at the beginning of a key Big Ten battle.\n"We allowed a really bad, embarrassing first goal. That can't happen," Kelley said. "It put us behind the eight ball right away."\n"No one really saw that girl (Lynch) there and it just came off for a breakaway," she said. "It was no one's fault -- just an accident."\nThe key mistake helped send the Hoosiers to their fourth loss in a row. Frustrating even more for IU was that the team felt it deserved the game.\n"That's how all of our (recent) losses have been," Grodek said. "We totally dominate the game and it's hard. We need to start finishing or else we're not going to get to where we want to be"
(10/12/01 5:33am)
One year ago, the women's soccer team finished 7-5-1, but compiled a meager 1-5-1 record in conference play.\nThis season Indiana (6-2-1, 3-1-1) has lost just one Big Ten match and is ranked No. 23 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. The team attributes its success to a newfound confidence level -- one that helps the Hoosiers enter every contest expecting to win.\n"This weekend (at Michigan on Friday and Michigan State on Sunday) we know we can go in and win both of these games," sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty said. "Whereas last year we were getting frustrated individually and as a team and that's just not a factor this year."\nStill, coach Joe Kelley says he isn't entirely satisfied with his team's play. In fact, with the team entering half-way point of its season, if Kelley were forced to turn in a grade for his ranked Hoosiers, he'd give them a "C."\n"I think 'C' is a good grade. There's always room for improvement. That's the sporting world," Kelley said. "That doesn't mean we've been playing poorly by any means. I'm very pleased with how we've been playing, but we can't be satisfied. We have to look for ways to improve. At the end of the season, we'll see what the grade is.\n"It's going to be a very tough weekend up there at the two Michigan schools. But, that's why we play. We like challenges."\nDaugherty maintains that rankings are unimportant to the Hoosiers, whose goal each match is to play well.\n"I don't care if we're ranked, as long as we go out there and play good soccer and win," Daugherty said. "The only thing that matters is the result at the end of the game and end of the season."\nAs far as important games go, this weekend features a pair of them. Michigan (6-5-0, 4-2-0), who the Hoosiers face tonight, owns the top defense in the conference. The Wolverines might be the Hoosiers toughest road test to date. In fact, the four teams the Hoosiers have picked up points against in the Big Ten fill the bottom of the conference standings. Michigan, meanwhile, is tied for second with Illinois.\nMichigan State (5-4-1, 2-3-1) has also been playing well lately. After dropping its first two conference games to Iowa and Illinois, the Spartans are 2-1-1, with their only loss coming to conference powerhouse Penn State.\n"Michigan is obviously a huge game," Daugherty said. "They are doing very well in the Big Ten. So if we can get going and go to their place and beat them, that will prove we are one of the best teams in the Big Ten."\nRed-hot junior midfielder Kara Bryan, who has scored five goals in the team's past five matches, agrees the Hoosiers will be entering this weekend's contests happy to be ranked, but also focused on winning both Big Ten road games.\n"We'd like to be in the top 25 in the country, but it doesn't matter what the polls say," Bryan said. "I think we'll do very well against Michigan and Michigan State"
(10/12/01 4:50am)
First the women's basketball team wants to enjoy itself tonight at Midnight Madness, then it's down to the task at hand, which is to improve from last season, when the Hoosiers finished 20-11 and earned a post-season berth to the National Invitational Tournament.\n"It's kind of like a party, then it's business right away," senior forward Erin McGinnis said. "Our expectations are very high. We want to come out and make the tournament, and be competitors for the Big Ten championship."\nTonight at midnight the team has its first official practice at Assembly Hall. The practice, which is open to the public who bring a non-perishable food item, will feature a three-point shooting competition between the men's and women's teams, along with a spot-shot competition. The first hour will be all fun and games, but after that, the team will bear down and have its traditional grueling coach Kathi Bennett style of practice.\n"The first practice is to go out and have fun, but then we have real practice after that for a few hours," junior guard and Butler-transfer Kristin Bodine said. "We want to win a Big Ten championship. But really we want to improve everyday."\nAfter a few weeks of workouts that allow for only four players and one coach at a time, the team is looking forward to playing with one another.\n"I think we're all excited," freshman Jenny DeMuth said. "We had conditioning and weight-lifting for the past month, I think everyone is ready for that to be over and to start getting into the season."\nPractices will allow players to get used to one playing with one another again and to adjust to the team's newcomers.\n"(Early season practices) are really important, because this is when you gel," Bodine said. "You don't have any games to worry about, you're just thinking about the next day of practice."\nBeing a newcomer, DeMuth is waiting with nervous anticipation for tonight's event.\n"To be honest, I have no clue (what to expect)," DeMuth said. "They say Assembly Hall is usually filled and I can never imagine playing in front of that many people."\nWith thousands of fans expected to attend, the Hoosiers want to use the opportunity to help attract fans to their games.\n"I'm looking forward to being able to see all the fans out and letting them see our team this year, let them see how good we're going to be, so they can come out and come to our games," McGinnis said.\nThere's another aspect of Midnight Madness the women's team said it is looking forward to and that's maintaining bragging rights over the men's team. At last year's practice, the women stole the show, highlighted by Heather Cassady winning the three-point shootout.\n"I'm pretty sure we'll win the three-point shootout," McGinnis said. "If we could dunk, I'm sure we'd win that, too"
(09/14/01 5:50am)
Four games into the regular season and the only side effects sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty has experienced are a couple of sore throats. Being a loudmouth is a part of the job description for being a goalkeeper. And being vocal on the field is something at which Daugherty excels. \n"It can take a number on your voice after games," Daugherty said. "You got to be talking continuously." \nDaugherty yells, screams and shouts her directions to the Hoosier defense. Her teammates credit her with being their eyes, ears and mouth on the field. \n"She's a really important part of our defense, basically because she keeps us in order. She is the one person who can see behind us and make sure we're in our place," sophomore Carly Everett said. "A lot of the stuff we've been doing has been shape, shape, shape, you can't get out of your shape (on the field), so she keeps our defense strong for that. And obviously with the saves." \nIt takes some special qualities to be a goalie, players said. It's not a position many young soccer players line up to play, instead opting for halfback and forward, positions that produce offense and score goals. \n"I think you have to be pretty confident in your abilities and know the directions you're giving are good directions and just not be afraid to yell at people," sophomore keeper Kristin Pimlott said. Daugherty agrees that goalkeeper isn't a position for the weak of heart. \n"Everyone says goalies are a different breed, and I guess that's because you have to be crazy. People look at goalies and what they do and are like 'I could never do that,'" Daugherty said.\n"They've performed really well when they've had to," assistant coach Don Madwig said. \nIU seems set in goal with both Daugherty and Pimlott both only in their second years of eligibility. The team will rely on Daugherty as it looks to improve its 8-9-1 record from a year ago. She said doesn't shy away from the expectations. \n"It's a challenge and I love stepping up to challenges," Daugherty said. "You know you're going to get drilled, and I love the expectation of 'you got to stand up'. You gotta be there"
(09/04/01 6:20am)
IU women's soccer coach Joe Kelley calls it the "Kara factor."\nButler transfer Kara Bryan, a junior, will be returning to Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis for tonight's game against the Bulldogs. That's one more reason his team has to be prepared mentally for a team known for its physical play.\n"They have some good players. They're a solid team," Kelley said. "There's no teams on our schedule that we can look at and say 'we're just going to walk all over these people.' Plus the fact that it's an in-state rivalry and obviously the 'Kara factor' will be a big motivating factor for them."\nBryan and her teammates are aware of the fact that BU might come out gunning for the former BU star who earned Midwestern Collegiate Conference player of the year last season, but Bryan feels no pressure.\n"I'm sure they're going to come out even harder in the game against me, so I just have to step it up," Bryan said.\nThe Hoosier have more options than just Bryan, according to junior defender Dana Philp.\n"They can zero in on her, but if they zero in on her, it leaves (Emily) Hotz and (Kelly) Kram open," Philp said.\nEven with the loss of Bryan, Butler is not a team to be taken lightly. They've jumped out to a 2-0 record with wins over Louisiana--Lafayette and Alabama. The Hoosiers view the Bulldogs as another team it should be able to execute against. \n"We should be able to have some offense," sophomore defender Erin Hesselbach said. "We should be at their end most of the game."\nHaving Bryan going up against her old squad adds a little spice to a game that is already a physical in-state rivalry.\n"I think it makes it a lot more interesting, definitely for her (Bryan)," Philp said. "When we played them last spring, I know it was a big game for her, they had her picked out of everyone."\nStill, IU (1-0) must concentrate simply on the task at hand, which is continuing to build momentum after starting its season with a sloppy 1-0 victory over Cincinnati last Friday.\n"There's always something that we can find to do better. There were some things in the last game we did very well, but there are also some things we need to work on as a team and hopefully each game we can get better and better," Kelley said. "We need to take care of the ball a little bit more offensively. Also, defensively we have to be a bit more aggressive. We were more of a reaction defense than a proactive one."\nThe Hoosiers are counting on the game being a typical Butler-Indiana match-up, with physical play and plenty of bumps in bruises.\n"I'm pumped," Bryan said. "I'm a little bit nervous, I don't really know why. Maybe, it's just because knowing a lot of girls"
(05/04/01 3:01am)
As "Survivor" fever sweeps the country, the softball squad takes pride in the fact it boasts two real life survivors.\nFour years ago, IU softball had an incoming freshman class of seven players. For various reasons, that number was dwindled down to two players, outfielder Melissa Narewski and pitcher Jen Smith.\nAs their eligibility comes to an end, the two said they are pleased they stuck with the grueling demands of varsity athletics. If nothing else, the surviving team has created a friendship between the two seniors.\n"We started out with seven freshman, and with the two of us being the only two who stayed, we've gone through so much together -- hard times, good times, lots of laughs, and lots of tears, lots of tears," Narewski said.\nFor the past four years, the softball team has engulfed the lives of the two seniors. As their experience comes to an end, the two close friends are approaching the end of the careers in different fashion.\n"I'm excited, because I never thought the four years would end," Smith said. "I'm ready to be done with this part of my life and move on to a more professional part of my career."\nNarewski said she is excited to move on with her life, as well, but because softball had become such an important part of her life, having it end is hard to deal with.\n"I can't believe this is over. My freshman year seems like yesterday. It's so crazy," Narewski said. "It's sad losing a huge part of my identity. I've always been a softball player."\nBoth said they appreciate is the friendships they've made from being with the team.\n"I've made my best friends from being a part of the team," Smith said. "The friendships is the one thing I'll definitely take away from it."\nDuring their four seasons at IU, the two never experienced a winning team, but that hasn't tainted their experiences as Hoosiers.\n"I've had fun. It would have been more fun to have a winning program," Smith said. "It's what happened and I am where I am."\n"It's tough to assess your career and know you've had a lot of losses, but I'm just trying to look at the positives, pick out the time around the team, and the skills I've learned, like leadership and time management," Narewski said.\nTheir loss will be felt by the team as well, who said they will miss having their seniors around the locker room and at practices.\n"I'm just going to miss playing with them," junior Monique Bullock said. "Their attitudes were great towards me, I'm just going to miss their smiling faces; it's just sad to see them go."\nBoth have a few classes to finish up before they earn their degree, but upon graduation, Smith plans on moving on to dental school, while Narewski will be working towards getting her MBA.\nThe seniors are in agreement that surviving IU softball will prepare them for life after college.\n"I've become a stronger person, for dealing with athletics and school," Smith said. "I feel that if I can make it through four years of college athletics and four years of academics, I can make it through anything"
(04/25/01 4:54am)
Perhaps softball coach Diane Stephenson best summarizes the importance of senior managers Matt Nocks and Leslie Shaffer to the team.\n"They're going to be the toughest people we've ever tried to replace in our program," Stephenson said. "Matt and Leslie do a great job. People don't realize how much the managers do. They're a part of our coaching staff."\nWith both graduating in May, Tuesday's sweep of Miami marked the last home doubleheader the two managers will work. As their careers draw to a close, they realize what IU softball has meant to them.\n"I knew that I wanted to be involved with IU athletics, somehow," Nocks said. "Freshman year I was bored and had too much free time. My grades were suffering, because I was always busy during high school. Joining the team just helped me change all that."\nShaffer said she agrees that her association with the team has changed her as a person.\n"I don't think the team realizes the impact they've had on me," Shaffer said. "They're a big reason why I'm still here.."\nBoth came to IU wondering how they would find their niche and hoping not to get lost. Becoming managers changed their experience at IU.\n"I have learned so much from Diane and the staff, and from being around the athletes," Nocks said. "This helped me build up my confidence and instilled some leadership qualities in me.."\nShaffer said she has come to appreciate the relationships she's made as a team manager.\n"I'm a shy person," Shaffer said. "Being with the team (introduced me to) 20 other people I got to know and have relationships with."\nStephenson said Nocks in particular has changed during his stay in Bloomington.\n"I think with Matt especially (has come out of his shell), because he's the only man in our program and the girls haven't really been easy on him," Stephenson said. "It's been a growing and learning experience for Matt."\nShaffer and Nocks said they see their work pay off when they hit the road, and how IU's Softball Field compares to other parks.\n "We have pride making sure we have good-looking facilities here," Nocks said.\nWith Nocks graduating and heading off to work for Accenture Consulting, and Shaffer on her way to veterinary technical school at Purdue, the two are appreciative of their involvement with the program.\n"Just to be a part of this is something I'll cherish forever," Shaffer said.
(04/25/01 4:53am)
Dominating defense, flawless pitching and clutch hitting. For most of its season, the softball squad has wondered where these have been. IU (15-32) found them Tuesday at the IU Softball Field, in its first series sweep of the season in a doubleheader against Miami (Ohio) 1-0, 3-2.\nIt was a day of heroes for the Hoosiers.\nIn the first game, IU's defense and pitching helped junior Alison Cooke throw the first no-hitter of her career.\n"I came out really relaxed today and worked the corners," Cooke said. "I found where the (umpire) liked it and just worked it."\nIt wasn't until late in the game when Cooke realized she was working on the first Hoosier no-hitter since 1990.\n"I hadn't realized it until the sixth or seventh inning, and then I was like, 'Don't lose this now,'" Cooke said.\nCoach Diane Stephenson said the entire defense deserves credit.\n"Everyone is the hero when you throw a no-hitter," Stephenson said. "Obviously, it takes a great pitching performance, but it takes a great effort from everyone to make something like this happen." \nThe Hoosiers got the only offense they needed in the bottom of the third, off clutch hitting by sophomore shortstop Lisa Mattke.\nFreshman third baseman Abby Stark opened up the inning with a walk. Sophomore Katie Joy leftfielder sacrificed Stark to second. After a passed ball sent Stark to third, Mattke followed with a single to left-center, scoring Stark.\nIn the second game, sophomore Heather Suca was the heroine.\nShe started off her memorable game with a diving grab to end the first inning, saving two runs.\n"That was a great play," Stephenson said. "Heather has had a great year defensively, and she deserved to get that break."\nThe RedHawks scored two runs in the third inning off freshman Heather Stillians.\nBut IU knotted up the score in the bottom of the sixth, with an RBI double by junior catcher Brooke Monroe, scoring Mattke, followed by a single by sophomore Stormy Hanson, which scored Monroe after a throwing error by Miami third baseman Nicki Pelfrey.\nIn the bottom of the seventh inning, Suca came through again. With junior Monique Bullock on third and two outs, Suca fell in the count 0-2. She battled back and came through with a slapper to third, which took a hop six feet in the air over Pelfrey's head, scoring Monroe.\n"I was just trying to put the ball on the ground and make something happen," Suca said. "I didn't know what happened. I was running thinking, 'Great they got me out.' Then I heard everybody screaming."\nStephenson said the lucky bounce was a break for the Hoosiers.\n"That was well-placed rocks," Stephenson said. "We haven't had very many opportunities for someone to step up to the plate and be a hero. (Suca) did today."\nThe Hoosiers hope the sweep of Miami gives them some confidence to close out the season on a positive note, heading into today's doubleheader at Ball State.\n"I think these are big wins for the team," Cooke said. "To come back and show ourselves we can put it all together, that gives us some momentum going into tomorrow and this next weekend"