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(11/06/01 6:05am)
The women's soccer team is anchored by talented midfielders. Sophomore Emily Hotz; juniors Lisa Tecklenburg, Kara Bryan, Dana Philp; and seniors Stacey Peterson and Kelly Kram make the position one of the most balanced on the team.\nFor Jessica Laswell, that presented a problem. As a midfielder, it was going to be difficult to see much playing time this season as a freshman. But under the direction of coach Joe Kelley and with a strong work ethic and dedication to the team, the walk-on was able to end the season as a contributing starting player for the Hoosiers.\nLaswell is from Lexington, Ky. She could have attended smaller schools to play college soccer on a scholarship, but after attending some of the soccer camps in Bloomington, she decided IU was where she wanted to play. Her motivation to achieve at IU stemmed from being told by the coach at the University of Kentucky that she wasn't good enough to play there. That sparked a relentless work \nethic for Laswell so she could prove to herself that she could make it at IU. \n"It is so much fun now that I had the opportunity to play and start the last few games of the season," Laswell said. "Not that it wasn't fun when I wasn't playing, but it is so exciting to get back out there and play a lot of minutes like I did in high school."\nLaswell got her first start of the year in the most important game for the Hoosiers this season, facing a must-win situation against Purdue a week-and-a-half ago. She responded by playing strongly all around. \nLaswell saw action in five games this year, including starting the last four. While she didn't tally any points, she helped the Hoosiers go 2-1-1 in the final four games to secure a winning season.\nKelley is happy with the freshman's progression. \n"She has done great," Kelley said. "She has a tremendous attitude, she is fast and we knew she would be a great athlete. She is a hard worker, is out at practice early and stays late. She didn't play much in the beginning, but she worked hard and waited for her chance. She is making the most of her time."\nSophomore Kristin Pimlott has worked closely with Laswell this season. \n"No one expected her to have a significant contribution to the team this year," Pimlott said. "I knew she was a hard worker though, so I'm not surprised she was able to prove herself."\nLaswell is a loose player, and as a freshman, was able to be one of the team's leaders with her relaxed attitude and sense of humor.\n"It was intimidating coming here as a freshman and trying to be so outgoing, but I was always like that," Laswell said. "I was nervous, but I came out of my shell gradually."\nPimlott agreed that Laswell's attitude is a great attribute for the Hoosiers.\n"She gets along with everybody," she said. "Laswell just has so much energy. It's always a good time with her."\nKelley thinks Laswell's best quality is her attitude. \n"She is willing to learn and willing to work hard to learn," Kelley said.\nThe Hoosiers are graduating two vocal leaders at the end of the year in Kram and Butler. Laswell will likely have more of a leadership role next year. \n"She can be a great leader," Kelley said. "I want to see her have the confidence to do that."\nLaswell thinks she could be a positive leader for the team. \n"I was captain for my high school team and it was a great honor," Laswell said. "It would be fun to have that same honor here"
(11/02/01 6:15am)
The IU women's soccer team will conclude its ninth season this weekend as it travels to Lexington, Ky. to play the Kentucky Wildcats, and come home to host the Ohio Bobcats Sunday. Neither opponent is in the Big Ten, although the battle involves two border rivals.\nThe Hoosiers enter the weekend 7-7-1 (3-6-1) playing a Kentucky team they are 4-2 against all-time. The Wildcats are 11-6 and 5-4 in SEC conference play. This will be the first time IU has played Ohio, who enters the weekend 10-7 and 9-2 in the MAC conference.\nTonight's game at Kentucky will be the last game away from Bloomington for the Hoosiers, and will conclude the team's grueling 2001 road schedule. The game will be especially memorable for freshman midfielder Jessica Laswell, a Lexington native.\nLaswell, who started her first collegiate game last weekend, is excited for tonight's game. \n"It is going to be so much fun going back home," Laswell said. "I am nervous, because for the first time this year I'm going to know everyone in the crowd, and I usually don't know anybody. It is going to be special."\nLaswell, who often attended Kentucky games at the UK Soccer Complex said she will play with a lot of passion tonight. She wanted to play at Kentucky until the coach said she was not good enough. She said she wants to prove him wrong. \nThe team is focused for this weekend after a disappointing loss to Purdue last Friday night eliminated the Hoosiers from the postseason. The team still understands that these are two very important games.\nCoach Joe Kelley said his team has had no letdown in practice this week, even though the Hoosiers aren't playing conference foes.\n"We have the same approach for this weekend that we have had all year" Kelley said. "We are taking this one game at a time."\nKelley also said the two wins would be important for the team psychologically. \n"Wins this weekend would absolutely give us momentum for the spring season" Kelley said. "Any time that you can move forward as a team, under any circumstance, that is a good thing."\nThe game against Ohio will be full of festivities, especially for the three Hoosier seniors who will be playing in their final collegiate games. Whitney Butler, Kelly Kram and Stacey Peterson will all be honored along with their parents Sunday afternoon. These seniors hope their last game on the season will result in a victory.\n"I think that it is pretty important to win these two games" Peterson said. "Not only are wins important for our record, but it is important for the spring season, and we are not giving up yet."\nPeterson is focused on the final games of her career, which saw her tally five career goals and and 17 career points.\n"We all want to do our best this weekend" Peterson said. "We want to go out there and have fun. It is a big key for me personally to just try and enjoy these two games."\nWhitney Butler, who also will be apart of her final collegiate game this weekend, said she will truly cherish the last game of the year. \n"I am going to try and remember every part of the game" Butler said. "I will remember the last pre-game meal, the pre-game talk, the senior ceremony, walking out with my parents, my teammates, the field, and everything else. I will always remember everything about that game."\nButler said the team has come together this year, and is satisfied with the Hoosiers who will be back next year. \n"The whole team has done an exceptional job," Butler said. "(Emily) Hotz is by far the most outstanding person on this team by the example she sets. Carly (Everett) and (Erin) Hesselbach are terrific sophomores. Dana (Philp) is an amazing junior. Kara Kornfeld and (Kim) Grodek are terrific freshman. This is a great team that is going to be here next year."\nButler considers this weekend to be two of the most important games of the year, not only for herself, but for the team. \n"This team has a lot of pride left" Butler said. "We have character and integrity and it will show this weekend by how we play."\nKelley spoke of the seniors he will be coaching for the last time.\n"It is going to be hard for the three of them" Kelley said. "They have all given a lot of time, effort and passion. It will be hard for me not to see Kelly Kram, Whitney and Stacey anymore, because besides being great soccer players, they are great people"
(10/31/01 5:29am)
After Friday night's loss to Purdue eliminated the women's soccer team from a Big Ten postseason berth, the team had a chance to reflect on a season that was memorable. Although IU didn't fulfill their goal of playing in the postseason, the Hoosiers (7-7-1, 3-6-1) did have a productive and enjoyable season.\nThis season, the Hoosiers began with a 5-1-1 start, the best in team history, but concluded with a five-game losing streak to close out the conference season. With two games this weekend against border rivals Kentucky and Ohio, many players reflected on a season that will be remembered by the coaches and players for years to come, not only for the team's intense battles on the field, but by the quality time spent off of it as friends.\nSophomore back Carly Everett said her most memorable experience of the season was when two of her teammates, sophomores Shelly Gruszka and Shaunna Daugherty, took her to a lake for her birthday. She remembers it being one of the most special birthdays she had, as her and two of her teammates just had time to relax and reflect on everything but soccer. \nDaugherty agreed with Everett, saying the day was one of the most memorable of the season for her, too.\n"For Carly's birthday, we knew that she would appreciate taking her somewhere, so we took her to this lake," she said. "Carly really appreciated things for what they are, and we knew that she would love this. We had a picnic for her, and it had nothing to do with soccer. It was a really great time."\nEverett also reflected on a late August preseaon game at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne where the Ft. Wayne native was able to return home with her teammates.\n"I had the entire team over, and we had a huge cookout," she said. "It was great having the whole team there, to see my hometown and play a game there."\nAnother moment that Everett said she would never forget from this season was when the team went to Notre Dame Sept. 7 and lost to the Irish 2-1 in overtime.\n"The setting there was great. We lost, but we played well and really connected as a team," Everett said.\nEverett wasn't the only player who alluded to that game. Freshman Kara Kornfeld rated the Notre Dame game as her best memory from the season. \n"We played so well at Notre Dame" Kornfeld said. "We were so pumped up for that game. We played our best game of the year and almost upset one of the best teams out there." \nThe Notre Dame game was special for the team because at the time IU was undefeated and was playing a team that was ranked third in the country, and had accumulated 96 wins in their last 100 home matches. The Hoosiers took that game to overtime, before yielding a golden goal to lose a match they mostly dominated.\nSenior Stacey Peterson, an Elkhart, Ind., native said she remembers that homecoming game being special.\n"Being back in my hometown, playing against the school that I wanted to go to, with people there cheering for me was great" Peterson said. "My mom had 85 people there rooting for us, and we were able to compete against a top team, and it showed that we would be a competitive team."\nAnother memory Peterson had was IU's upset of Wisconsin on September 23. Wisconsin was ranked, and the Hoosiers went into Madison and upset the Badgers 1-0.\n"Coming back to score in the final moments was a relief because we worked so hard for that game. It was a great win for all the hard work we put in," Peterson said.\nThe Hoosiers also shared a special bond off the field this season. \nKornfeld said that collegiate soccer was a lot of hard work, and more work then she ever expected. She said she had a fun time though this year, and thinks all of her hard work paid off. She remembers the road trips being enjoyable.\n"The bus rides were a fun time together to bond. We would talk, watch movies and laugh a lot. It was a great time."\nDaugherty remembers those long road trips, too. \n"On the road trips, we would always play euchre. Carly (Everett) and I would always play. On the way back from Michigan, we were only going to play one game. After one of us lost, we said we would play best of three. Then we played best of five, best of seven and then finally best of nine. It was a goofy time, and it lasted the whole trip." \nDaugherty then made sure to mention as Everett listened on, "Of course I won and broke through, though."\nThis story perhaps captured the essence of this team. Although the Hoosiers were returning from Michigan after two disappointing losses, the team was still loose, and able to have a fun time.\nThe team is more than just teammates. They are roommates and friends, too.\n"This team has fun, gets along and has great camaraderie" Peterson said.\n"We are close friends on and off the field. We got better, and we will continue to get better because we are so close," Kornfeld said.
(10/26/01 5:51am)
The women's soccer team is in the midst of a four-game losing streak, including losing two pivotal games last weekend at home. All the negative feelings from the losses can be erased with a victory at 7 p.m. tonight against Purdue at Bill Armstrong Stadium. A win would give the Hoosiers (6-6-1, 3-5-1) a berth in the Big Ten tournament, which would be a great accomplishment after going 1-8-1 in the conference last season.\nThe weekend is very important for the Hoosiers. In addition to playing the Boilermakers, the team also plays host to in-state rival Indiana State on Sunday in a non-conference game. \n"Friday night is a must win for us," senior co-captain Kelly Kram said. "Sunday is not as important, but is also a big priority for us to win. We need to go out there and take care of some business. This is not about a rivalry, it's about placement in the Big Ten tournament."\nWith a victory Friday night, IU will be lined up for a fourth seed in the tournament, clinching a postseason berth. \nJunior midfielder and back Dana Philip said the team hasn't lost its focus, but has lost something. \n"We are lacking something, but we're not sure what it is," Philp said. "We need to get it back this weekend."\nCoach Joe Kelley is optimistic about IU's chances. \n"You learn things from winning. If you can learn things from losing, then it's not truly a loss," Kelley said. "The team has changed its approach and attitude. We are a young team. Hardening of a personality is a learned phenomenon, and we have a harder personality from the beginning of the year."\nThe IU-Purdue rivalry is a new one to the women's soccer team. This is the third time the two schools have met, with IU winning 1-0 in 1999 and Purdue returning the favor with a 1-0 victory in West Lafayette last season.\n"We have had a great week at practice," Kelley said. "We have really improved psychologically and physically. This is an in-state weekend, which adds to the whole scene. It's Purdue. It's the rivalry. Anybody associated with IU knows that it's Purdue, the enemy."\nAs far as playing Indiana State, Kelley said it is a game on which IU has to stay focused. \n"They are a challenge," Kelley said. "We have gone six weeks playing just Big Ten teams, with no break. They might not be a conference opponent, but they are capable. We need to play every game at an intense, high level and respect our opponents and respect ourselves."\nKram said the team is ready to snap out of its losing streak. \n"We have continued to work hard," Kram said. "We learned that we can have a few letdowns like we did last weekend and bounce back. We need to come out Friday and play like we did against Notre Dame and the first half against Penn State earlier in the season."\nKelley isn't worried about his team's recent offensive and defensive struggles.\n"We need to go out and play. It seems redundant, but that is what we need," Kelley said. "These last few days have been the best days of practice we have had all season. Our offense is coming together, and the defense is getting strong again"
(10/25/01 5:23am)
The women's soccer team has recruited many of the best players in the country. But because the roster has 29 players, and the Hoosiers are only allowed 12 scholarships, most of the team is filled by walk-ons. \nAnd coach Joe Kelley has landed three walk-ons who are making an impact on the team.\nJunior Dana Philp is a back and midfielder. She is one of the team's leaders and a key component to a Hoosier team that has surpassed last year's win total already. Philp has started every game this year, and a total of 40 games in her collegiate career. \nPhilp came to IU as a walk-on from Blacklick, Ohio. She knew that during her senior year in high school she wanted to play soccer in college.\n"I could have played elsewhere, but I wanted to come here and try to work as hard as I possibly could as a walk-on," Philp said. "It is exciting. There was so much hard work I had to do to get to the position that I am in now. It's exciting to look back at it now, but there were days I don't want to remember from them."\nPhilp quit the team after her freshman year, but decided to come back in the pre-season of her sophomore year. \n"I didn't want to give up because I would always wonder what would have been," Philp said.\nSophomore Carly Everett is a back from Fort Wayne. After attending soccer camps at IU when she was younger, Everett became interested in playing here because she wanted to be like the players who counseled her. \nEverett has started 12 games, missing only one with an injury. Although Everett walked-on she was an immediate contributor for the Hoosiers last season, appearing in 18 games and anchoring the defense. She often matches up with the opponent's best striker. \nEverett said walking-on to the team was intimidating at first, but she became more comfortable as time went by. \n"I was scared because they didn't know who I was," she said. "Then I realized that I had no prior expectations to fulfill, so I could just go out there and prove myself." \nEverett said sometimes she became disheartened while trying to make the team. \n"It got pretty hard for a while," she said. "Sometimes I would lose my motivation, but I just loved soccer so I kept going with it." \nEverett said she encourages \nanyone to try and become a walk-on for the team. \n "Go in with expectations to achieve. Have fun and do the best that you can," she said.\n Jessica Laswell, a freshman from Lexington, Ky., is a midfielder who found out about IU's team by attending the soccer camps held in Bloomington. She chose IU because it was a big school with a good campus. \n"It's pretty exciting to be a part of this team," Laswell said. "It's great to play for a Division I school. I had other choices, but I wanted to play here because a big school like this will help me play at a higher level," Laswell said she could have had a full scholarship to play elsewhere, but choose IU because she "had a feeling" that she would be able to play here. She said she is happy with her decision to come to IU.\nLaswell said her goals coming into this season were to get better as a player. She said that she is meeting her goals, and can't wait for the day when she can get her first start. \n"Just to hear my name out there and be able to wave to everyone, that will make it all worth it," she said.\nLaswell was unaware that Everett and Philp were former walk-ons, but finding that out made her feel better about her future. \n"They are big players, and its good to know I can achieve that level," she said.\nKelley told of the passion walk-on players have. Kelley was a former men's soccer player who received a scholarship to play at IU, and had many walk-on teammates and players. He said he knows the desire walk-ons have. \n "When you are on scholarship here, you are being paid essentially to play," Kelley said. "Walk-ons have their own volitions out there because they love the sport and they love the competition. Philp, Everett and Laswell are three of the most competitive, dedicated and talented players we have."\nThe progress of these three players doesn't surprise Kelley. \n"These are players that I identified with attributes to be good," he said. "They've worked hard and deserve all of the credit. They are great players"
(10/19/01 5:50am)
The women's soccer team looks to get back to its winning ways after a disappointing road trip to Michigan and Michigan State last week. The Hoosiers entered last weekend ranked 23rd in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, but were outscored 6-3 in the two contests. This weekend, the Hoosiers return to Bill Armstrong Stadium for their first home game since facing Penn State Sept. 30. The team plays Illinois Friday and Iowa Sunday. The Hoosiers enter the game 6-4-1 (3-3-1), and are fourth in the Big Ten.\nHoosier team members said the weekend is very important. \n"We need to win the remainder of our Big Ten games," said sophomore back Carly Everett. "We lost last week because we weren't mentally into the games. We didn't have fun like we usually do. We need to get back out there and play our best." sophomore back Erin Hesselbach agreed with Everett. "These games are very important," Hesselbach said. "If we don't win these two we are in trouble. We need to get our minds back into it."\n Several of the players look to get revenge against Illinois after losing 5-0 in Champaign last season. "It wasn't too fun losing by that much," Everett said. "We need to show them what we are made of this year. Last year we just played a bad game against a good team." \n Freshman back Kara Kornfeld didn't play against Illinois last year, but has heard much about the game. She said the team isn't dwelling on seeking revenge against the Illini any more than the other teams they play.\n"Illinois is just another competitive Big Ten team," Kornfeld said. "It's going to be a tough game, and we need to improve from last week."\nIn addition to trying to avenge a loss to Illinois this weekend, IU looks to defeat an Iowa team that has their number. The Hoosiers are 1-3 all time against the Hawkeyes. They have been outscored \n5-1 in those games. \n"It was a tough loss at Iowa last time" Hesselbach said. "But we have to come out and treat this game just like any other."\nIn order to be successful this week, the Hoosiers need to improve their defense, which has paced the team most of the season so far. The Hoosiers are tied for second in the conference by allowing 15 goals this year, but they allowed six goals last weekend.\n"Defensively we need to work on our positioning," Kornfeld said. "We need to increase our awareness. We worked a lot during practice perfecting minor breakdowns. We had a great week of practice preparing for this game. We are just looking to work on our mistakes and move on from last week" she said.\nSophomore forward Shelly Gruszka said last weekend the team came out flat and needs to come out harder tonight. \n"It wasn't that we didn\'t play hard last weekend" she said. "We had too many small flaws. We have to straighten those mistakes out. It was our first minor step back this season, but we'll be ready this weekend."\nGruszka said she thinks the team needs to have a strong weekend both offensively and defensively to be successful. "The forwards need to step up and take control" she said. "We need to help out the defense. We have counted on them so much this year, and now its our job to add to what they have been doing." \nGruszka is confident the team will be ready after a strong week of practice, and said "I'm very excited for this weekend. The team is ready for it."\nKornfeld said she is also excited for this weekend. "We had a really good week of practice. We need to move forward." \nThis weekend will have a huge impact on the rest of the Hoosiers season. If they are serious about competing for the Big Ten championship, they need to prove it by dominating two very tough teams at home. \n"Every game is the most important for our season," Everett said. "So against Illinois, I guess that is the most important game of the season, until we play Iowa"
(10/11/01 4:04am)
With a 3-1-1 start in conference play, the women's soccer team is off to a strong start in the Big Ten, and are showing they are ready to compete at the national level.\nAt 6-2-1 (3-1-1) the Hoosiers are currently in fourth place in the Big Ten and ranked No. 23 in the country. Last year, they finished 10th in the conference. \n A reason for this drastic change is the emergence of three seniors, Kelly Kram, Stacey Peterson and Whitney Butler, and the leadership they are providing to a team with 17 underclassmen. \n Kram is one of the team's most noticeable leaders on and off the field. With 11 career goals and 33 career points, Kram has been one of the Hoosiers prominent goal scorers. This year, she was delegated to a more defensive role, and the move has paid off so far. Kram has helped anchor a Hoosiers defense that has permitted only nine goals this season. \n Coach Joe Kelley said Kram "doesn't get the recognition she deserves for being as good as she is." \nKram's biggest addition to the team is the guidance she has provided for so many on the younger players. She has also sacrificed for the good of the team, members said.\n "I prefer offense, but if the team needs me back there defensively that is where I will be," Kram said. \nKram is an exercise science major and has been playing soccer since the age of five. She said she has enjoyed her four years at IU. \n"Playing here at IU has been great. It is extremely important that we do well my last year here, and so far we are off to a great start. This is my last time playing competitively, so a top priority is for myself and the team to play well."\nAfter graduating in May, Kram plans to either go to Chicago or home to St. Louis to work. She does not plan to continue with her soccer career, but she does not rule out of the possibility of still being involved in the sport.\nAs for playing the last few years with Peterson and Butler, Kram said it has been great. \n"They are amazing people to play with. They are the two best and most rounded people to be with. They are great girls," Kram said.\nPeterson, also an exercise science major, is a quiet leader. \n"As a senior, you need to be a leader, show by example, and build up your teammates," Peterson said. \nLike Kram, Peterson has been relegated to a more defensive role for the Hoosiers this year. \n"Wherever (Coach) Kelley needs me, that is where I will be. I want to be able to have the best impact on the team and be involved," Peterson said.\nAfter graduating from IU, Peterson is applying to the cardiac rehabilitation program and plans on staying in Bloomington as a graduate student. \nPeterson said she preaches to her younger teammates to be a respectable team, have discipline and play with sportsmanship. \nPeterson also said playing with Kram and Butler is a blessing.\n"They are very supportive, hard working and fun to be with. I get along great with them," she said.\nKelley said he admires Peterson's work ethic.\n"She is an extremely important player for us. She is a hard worker who improves every day," he said. \nButler transferred to IU from Connecticut last year. She is from Ft. Wayne and said she enjoys being closer to home. \n"My time here has gone great," Butler said. "The attitude is great here. I couldn't have asked for anything more. We're doing great."\nButler is a back who is another integral part of the Hoosier defense. Aside from those skills, Butler is one of the more outspoken and friendliest members of the team, teammates said.\n"Leadership is a role that sets a tone," she said. "It is all about work ethic and attitude. You need to have pride and have to want to excel. You have to provide a good example."\nButler is an English education major. She plans to work next fall for Teach for America. She said that she will miss playing soccer here, but hopes to one day coach younger children, or at the high school level.\n"She is a very good defender," Kelley said. "We are counting on her and expect her experience to help."\nAs for her fellow senior teammates, Butler has enjoyed the experience.\n"It's been great playing with them," Butler said. "It's like playing every day with your closest friends. I couldn't have asked for more."\nKelley spoke about the positive impact these three seniors have had. \n"I think how we're doing this year shows how important leadership and experience is. This program has never had such positive leadership to get us through the trials and tribulations." \nKelley said he will miss these seniors next year, and they won't be easily replaced. \n"The type of competitiveness and the desire to succeed that these girls have won't be easy to lose," he said. "Their leadership is beneficial. It shows in how they're playing, and how well the team is doing"
(09/26/01 4:08am)
There is a simple adage in sports: If the other team can't score, they can't beat you. This philosophy has been the foundation for the women's soccer team early this season. \nAfter allowing only one goal during a tie at Northwestern and a victory at No. 23 Wisconsin last weekend, the Hoosiers find themselves off to a 4-1-1 start (1-0-1 Big Ten), ranked sixth in the Great Lakes Region by Soccer Buzz and are third in the Big Ten Conference. This season, the team has already equalled their point total in conference play from last year in two games. \nThe reason for this has been a dominant defense that has allowed only three goals all year. \nTwo players responsible for this dominating effort are sophomore goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty and junior midfielder/back Dana Philp.\nDaughety has permitted the fewest goals of any keeper in the conference and has a 0.5 goals allowed average. She has already passed her victory total from last season and is the anchor of the defense. She said she feels the reason why the team, who went 1-8-1 in conference play, is off to such a good start is experience.\n"Playing all off-season with the starters has made us more experienced as a team," she said. "Working hard and training together got us to get a feel of one another, and that has really helped."\nPhilp has had a strong start to her season as well. She spent the earlier part of her career as more of an offensive player, but this season is more focused on the defensive aspect of her game.\n"I take a lot of pride in a shutout," Philp said. "A shutout often goes unrecognized, but it's nice to keep another team from scoring."\nPhilp also noted many differences from last year's team to this year's. \n"We are a lot more intense this season," she said. "We are defending better as a team, as supposed to just defending individually. It's a team effort."\nCoach Joe Kelley had nothing but positive remarks about the team's defensive effort so far.\n"The girls have taken pride in how they are playing defensively. Philp has been very steady and is leading. It is not only the backs or just Shaunna in goal," he said. "Defense is a team concept and it won\'t work unless everyone works on it. The team has really come together defensively and has done tremendous."\nDaugherty said the defense goes into competition with the mind-set of a shutout. \n"Every time we go out on the field, we don't want to allow any goals. We don't want the other team to even cross the midline. We want no shots on goal. We want no goals against," she said. "I do what I can to make sure we are organized back there. I make sure that the players are in the right places, shifting, seeing if the team is doing a great job of listening to her when she tells them where everybody is, but she and Philp aren't taking all of the credit for their teams success. \n"Playing with Carly (Everett), (Erin) Hesselbach, Stacey (Peterson), we each know each other's strengths and weaknesses and can compensate for one another after a year together."\nThe defense has only permitted 69 shots in six games, and IU's opponents have only converted 4.3 percent of their shots into goals.\nThe defense doesn't show up in the box score as much as the offense, but since IU is only eighth in the conference in scoring, it shows just how important the defensive unit has been to the Hoosiers having the best winning percentage in the Big Ten.\n"Defense isn't about the fancy stuff. It's about results," Philp said.
(05/04/01 3:00am)
Every year at graduation time, some IU teams lose senior leadership in their respective sports. For the men's track team, that senior is Brian Bowman.\nBowman, from Corydon, Ind., said he's been participating in track since the sixth grade.\n"I always just ran, jumped and threw, so I just wanted to see what I could do," Bowman said.\nHis specialty event is the decathlon, where he participates in ten events, encompassing most aspects of track and field events.\nBowman said he wasn't planning to attend college until he got some guidance from his coach at Corydon Central High School, former IU track champion Kerry Zimmerman. Bowman said he has grown as a person during his time in Bloomington and that he has no regrets in becoming a Hoosier.\nBowman said his post-graduation plans are to remain in Bloomington and help with the men's track team. The fifth-year senior history major said that he would like to be a professional but used the term loosely. \n"There are so many steps to work towards being a professional," Bowman said.\nNineteen-year head coach Marshall Goss said he would welcome Bowman back next year to help the team because Bowman remains focused as a competitor.\n"He developed into such a positive individual," Goss said\nWhen it comes to being a team leader, Bowman said that he is somewhat vocal but likes to have his actions speak louder than his words. He said he has a feeling of team morale, and he tries to do his best to give the team the leadership that the team needs. His teammates agree. \n"Brian leads through example," red-shirt sophomore Ian Curry said. "He's a good guy who works hard to be the best that he can be, and that runs off on others." \nSophomore Mike Minton said Bowman is a someone with whom people want to spend time.\n"Brian is a great guy to be surrounded by," Minton said. "He contributes so much confidence, is a great leader and sets good examples for young guys. He is a terrific competitor."\nGoss also praised Bowman because of the presence he brings to the track. \n"Bowman brings a lot to the team," Goss said. "He is a great example of what hard work, dedication and following a strict program can do to an athlete. His biggest strengths are his athletic ability and work ethic." \nBowman said being a Hoosier athlete helped make him what he is today. \n"To say that track didn't play a bit influence in which I am today would be lying," Bowman said. "It helped me grow not only athletically, but mentally as well, and taught many life lessons." \nBowman said his best memory at IU was winning third place in the heptathlon at Penn State this indoor season. \n"To stand there on the podium showed all the hard work I did to get where I am today," he said.\nMinton said he is proud of his teammate because he is confident. He said he expects Bowman to do well at the Big Ten championships in Bloomington and the national championships in Eugene, Ore., because he is a great leader.\nBowman said he wouldn't trade anything for what the track team and IU has given him, and he will miss being a student next year.
(04/27/01 5:48am)
Today, the women's golf team will be competing in the annual Big Ten Championship, which will take place in Minneapolis, Minn. The tournament will be at Les Boldtad Golf Course, which is close to 6,000 yards with a par of 72. Competition tees off 8 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. The champion is an automatic qualifier to NCAA Regional.\nThis is the most important tournament in which the team will participate during its successful spring season. \nThe Hoosiers said they are looking forward to the competition.\n"This is one of the things our team has been working for all season, and it is finally here," freshman Ambry Bishop said. Bishop will be competing in her first Big Ten Tournament Friday. \n"I can't wait to start playing this weekend, and hopefully win the tournament," she said.\nSenior Natalie Tucker said she has mixed emotions about the last tournament of her college career.\n"It's sad for me to think this is my last Big Ten Tournament," Tucker said. "I know I am beginning a new stage of my career, but I think anyone can attest that these are the best times of your life." Tucker also praised the field of competition this year. \n"It's exciting to compete in this tournament, especially with the caliber of players in the conference," Tucker said. "I think this is the strongest field the Big Ten has ever had. In past years only a few teams would compete for the win, but this year, Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan, are all NCAA competitors and ranked. It's going to be very exciting and I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds." \nThe team enters the tournament ranked 28th according to the MasterCard Collegiate rankings. Last year, the Hoosiers finished fifth in the conference, a finish they said they want to improve upon this year.\nCoach Sam Carmichael reflected on his experiences with previous teams. \n"Returning to Bloomington with the Big Ten Championship is very special," Carmichael said. "The Big Ten is our major and to win is to accomplish everything we have worked for all year. It gives you a feeling of a job well done." \nRedshirt freshman Danah Ford will be participating in her first Big Ten tournament and said she is eager to compete. \n"I am excited for this tournament," Ford said. "This is what we have been waiting for." \nFord said that while she has never participated in this event, she has played the course, describing it as challenging but scoreable. She said she feels it will help the team benefit greatly from playing there.\nCarmichael said the week of preparation leading up to this important tournament is no different than any other week of season. \n"We don't do anything special to prepare for the Big Ten," Carmichael said. "Our practices are on improving the short game, and continue working on the fundamentals of the golf swing, which varies from player to player."\nBishop said the team is enthusiastic about competing. \n"My No. 1goal is for the team to win, but I also want to have low putting rounds and stay positive throughout the tournament" Bishop said. \nTucker said the team has the talent to compete in the tournament.\n"Our team this year has outstanding talent and players," Tucker said. "All the girls are capable of shooting low numbers. We are a deep team, and as long as everyone plays to their ability it should definitely be an exciting and competitive week."\nCarmichael said he agreed.\n"They have worked hard all year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching this group of girls, as they are self-motivated, dedicated and willing to learn," Carmichael said. "They have made it fun for me with their desire"
(04/20/01 5:14am)
This weekend, the women's golf team will be venturing to Columbus, Ohio, to participate in the Lady Buckeye Invitational, the home course of Big Ten opponent Ohio State.\nIU's last event of the regular season, the 54-hole tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and will resume Sunday. \nThe course is 6,037 yards with a par of 72. IU has competed in this tournament twice, both times in the last several years. \nThe team comes into the tournament ranked 29th by MasterCard Collegiate Golf rankings. But coach Sam Carmichael said he is not happy with the Hoosiers' performance of late, although they finished second last week at the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City. \n"We didn't play well last week," he said. "The conditions were good, and we should've scored better. We have to find somebody to turn in low scores." \nSophomore Cara Stuckey played the course last year and said she wasn't pleased with her performance in some rough weather.\n"Last year when I played there, it was wet and windy," Stuckey said. "I didn't play particularly well. I just want to be consistent (this weekend) and avoid having bad holes." \nCarmichael said he plans to start seniors Natalie Tucker and Inga Snyder, junior Tiffany Fisher, sophomores Danah Ford and Stuckey and freshmen Karen Dennison.\nDennison has never played in Columbus, but said she has "heard some bad stories about the course." \nDennison is coming off a 70 in a round last week in Iowa, and she said she's been working hard on her short game and putting all week. \n"I hope to shoot some low solid scores for the team," she said. "I am also trying to play good to earn a spot in the Big Ten Tournament."\nThe Big Ten Tournament is next week, and the team hopes to have an impressive showing this weekend. \nCarmichael said this is a "great tournament with a great course." He said he expects strong competition this weekend, especially from Kent State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Furman and a few other teams.
(03/29/01 5:43am)
While coaches often prepare the game plan and athletes execute on the field, there is another group of people at IU that helps the athletic teams achieve -- the student athletic trainers. \nMany recognize their presence, but few recognize their skill and importance.\nThrough the School of Health Physical Education and Recreation, the Department of Kinesiology offers a degree in athletic training. \nThe program is two-fold, said Katie Grove, who has served IU for 10 years and is an athletic trainer overseeing softball. \n"Our program's basis is for an undergrad major that will prepare students not only serve the teams here, but to become a certified athletic trainer when complete," Grove said.\nTo receive this certification, students must pass the National Board Exam to become a certified athletic trainer. The three-part test consists of an oral practical, written exam and simulation of injuries. \nThis is no easy major, said Grove, who told how one section of the curriculum includes 1,000 hours of clinical work. Only 18 applicants are accepted into the program each year.\nAthletic training is one of the smaller majors offered on the Bloomington campus. IU is only one of four schools in the country that offers both an undergraduate and graduate program in athletic training. \nThe program offers a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, which leaves the possibility for a teaching option. As the trainers muster their way through school, tasks become more difficult. \nMost people in the program are either former high school athletes with a strong interest in medicine or people who served as trainers in high school, according to senior Matthew Culp.\n"I knew I wasn't going to make my sports dreams come true out of high school, and I had a strong interest in medicine, so this was the perfect fit for me," Culp said. \nCulp is spending this year fall working with the football team. During the season, his demands included working a 30-35 hour week.\n"We usually get there before the athletes arrive, and are there until they are long gone," Culp said. \nCulp's tasks for the team included pre-practice treatments, attending practices, post-practice treatments and rehabilitation. Culp also attended most of the games, including road trips, making for a crammed schedule.\n"The sheer volume of athletes requires football to be one of the more demanding sports," he said. \nDespite the rigorous demands, Culp was able to find the fun in the job. \n"Having an athlete you can help makes me feel good," he said. "It's the little things, like when an athlete comes up to you and thanks you after helping them." \nCulp worked for the football team, but each senior has his own sport to supervise. Sophomores rotate thought the different sports to get an idea of how each sport operates. Junior are given more responsibility and rotate every six weeks between teams. Seniors are given a sport to work with for the entire year.\nThe athletic training faculty assigned senior Jessica Levine to the wrestling team for her final go-round. Levine said the most rewarding aspect of this for her is to see someone that is hurt who wants to compete and watching that injured person become victorious because of her help. Wrestling demands that Levine work with the team from 6:30-9 a.m., attend class and return to work with the team from 2:30-7 p.m. \nLevine hopes to be a physical therapist and work for the Olympics Committee.\nMany IU alumni from the program have found a place in both professional and amateur sports. Grove said that during her time supervising the program, she has seen a few people move on to professional sports, including Doug Speen; who formerly worked for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.\nThe skills learned at IU enable the graduates to move on the professional sports, and the Hoosiers athletes regularly voice their praise of the student athletic trainers and their abilities. \nJunior tennis player Amanda Field said that while she isn't injured often, when she does receive treatment from the trainers, it is quite effective. \n"It relieves my aches and sores," Field said. "I've never had a major surgery, but (the trainers) do cater to my minor injuries and ailments." \nTeammate Christina Solli, a freshman, spent time rehabbing a bulging disk earlier this month and praised the student trainers for their work on treating injuries effectively. \n"They have a really good program here," Solli said. "They are a great addition to the athletics program because of their caring nature and the personal attention they give"
(02/21/01 5:29am)
Tuesday's baseball game started the home season off with a bang for IU.\nOn the first pitch of the first inning, redshirt freshman Mark Calkins drove a home run over the center field fence.\n"I just saw a good pitch and hit it well," Calkins said. "I wasn't trying to hit a home run. I was just trying to get on base."\nThree hours later, the game ended in an 11-10 IU victory at Sembower Field.\nCalkins later added a bunt single and finished the day 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. IU pounded out nine hits during the afternoon.\nThe Hoosiers (2-2) came out strong. The left-handed hitters, including Calkins, took advantage of a wind blowing to right field early in the game and scored seven runs on five hits to knock out Wildcat starter Josh Bain after just 1 2/3 innings. Bain was the Wildcats' top pitcher last season, but failed to shut down the Hoosiers' offensive attack. \nJunior shortstop Eric Blakeley had a good day on offense, driving in three runs. The biggest hit of the day might have come from sophomore Nick Evans, who knocked in two key runs with a seventh-inning pinch-hit double after the Wildcats began to mount a comeback. \n"Evans had a big hit to spark us," Blakeley said. \nWith Big Ten play fast approaching, Coach Bob Morgan has some issues for the team to address. He was upset that his team surrendered an early lead and had to settle for a one-run victory.\n"We wanted to get out there and play, and get as much pitchers out there as possible after our weekend struggles," Morgan said, alluding to the 49 runs IU gave up in a three-game series at Furman last weekend.\n"We were not very productive of the mound," Morgan said. "We jumped out to a 7-0 lead, and then lost our discipline in the middle innings. You have to credit (Indiana Wesleyan)." \nMorgan said that he is unhappy his team gave up 10 or more runs for the fourth consecutive game but that he was glad to see a warm February day for the fans.\nFreshman Chris Behrens, who gave up a single and a walk, was the first of nine pitchers summoned to the mound. Behrens picked off Wildcat shortstop Nathan Ritchey. Freshman Corey Poret entered in the seventh inning, yielding a walk and an unearned run. \n"I felt good on the mound," Poret said. "I'm just trying to go out there and compete. The pitchers could've done a whole lot better."\nAfter the Wildcats scored five runs off sophomore Ryan Smith in the eighth inning to close within a run of the Hoosiers, IU freshman Adam Pegg came in to seal the Hoosier win. Pegg pitched two scoreless innings, striking out four to earn the first save of his IU career. \n"If not for Pegg today, we would've been in big trouble," Blakeley said.\nHoosier pitchers struck out 12 Wildcats, who appeared patient at the plate, and held the Wildcats' Josh Bain, who hit .340 last season, hitless.\nMorgan said the team's biggest concerns for the next game -- Friday against Eastern Kentucky in the Winthrop Tournament -- are to be sharper, play better defense and shore up pitching. \n"(When the score was) 11-5, we didn't put them away," Calkins said. "We lost our plate discipline on offense. We have to become more selective and get ahead on the count. But a win is a win, and that's all that matters"
(02/07/01 5:20am)
If you want to find a quiet leader who lets his game speak for itself, look no farther than senior Mike Pinger.\nWith IU's men's club volleyball team resting at the top of the standings in the Midwest (7-0), Pinger, a co-captain, is the one player who can remember just a few years ago, when the team was winless.\nThose days are long gone. The team has resurrected, setting its sights on winning a Big Ten and maybe a national championship.\nCoach Dave Boos said Pinger's contributions have been vital to the team's success this year.\n"Mike is definitely one of the best athletes physically in the country at the club level," Boos said.\nTeam president and co-captain Jeremy Levy, a sophomore, said he considers the 6-foot-5 quiet giant from Muncie the best player in the Big Ten.\n"This team is balanced, but Mike is our go-to-guy," Levy said. "He makes me work harder because of his talent. You just want to work harder to play like him. He's very modest about his game, too."\nFreshman Chris Reilly said Pinger provides leadership to a young team with only three upperclassmen. \n"He is the captain when we step on the court," Reilly said. "When the team is down, he will make a great play and get us back into a game. He gives all-out effort."\nPinger is the tallest member of the team, and said volleyball just seemed like a natural fit for him. He played club volleyball in high school because his school didn't offer the sport at the varsity level. In his sophomore year at IU, Pinger went to London for a semester and then transfered to Ball State University upon returning home. In his one semester at school in Muncie, he played on the school's club team. Pinger said after playing there, and then returning to Bloomington for his junior year, his career blossomed.\nAs a computer science major, Pinger said he chose IU for its academics as opposed to going to a school with a varsity volleyball team.\n"Volleyball is fun, but school is important, too," he said. "I would love for IU to have a varsity team, but I'm fine playing on the club level."\nPinger was named to the 2000 Big Ten Conference First Team as a middle blocker. Even though Pinger's size makes him a force at the net, he said he enjoys playing back row more because "it takes talent digging a ball out of the back."\nBoos said playing in the back shows how good Pinger is, because it stresses talent rather then size.\n"He is definitely a go-to-guy for a kill, but for a big guy he is really great defensively and passing the ball from the back," Boos said. \nPinger said he would like nothing more than to end the season, and his career, with a Big Ten title. Danny Donohue, the only other senior on the team, said he has seen Pinger's progression during the years.\n"Mike isn't the most agile guy on the team, but he uses his size and ability well," Donohue said. "Most importantly, though, Mike makes everything fun."\nPinger said he thinks the team is good enough to win the conference championship this year. Even if it doesn't win it, he said the most important thing is to watch the program continue to improve, even after he leaves.\nPinger isn't worried much about next year. He's too focused on bringing home a title this season, whether it be Big Ten or national championship.\n"It's been fun watching the team grow over the years from a loser to a winner," Pinger said. "And I hope to end my career on top as a champion"
(01/22/01 5:33am)
Although many are familiar with IU's women's volleyball team, some might not be aware there is a men's team. \nThe team is a B-level club sport, which means it receives minimal monetary support from the University, does not compete at the Division-I varsity level and does most of the financing on its own. The uniforms are provided by IU. \n"Nobody thinks that there is a men's team here, but this is it," team president and sophomore Jeremy Levy said. "We are a really young and up-and-coming team, and we are looking to win the Big Ten this year and finish nationally in the Top 25."\nLast semester, the team went 14-4 during preseason play, including victories over Northern Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue. This semester, the team has very high hopes, and second year coach Dave Boos, an assistant on the women's team, said he expects the team to finish fourth in the Midwest. He said the team hopes to be one of the top two teams in the Big Ten.\n"This team hasn't had much success in the past, but this season should be different," Boos said.\nThe team had its regular season opener Saturday at Purdue in the Big Ten Qualifier. The Hoosiers (5-0, 5-0 Big Ten) won all five matches and are currently the Big Ten's top team. Only Michigan State remains unbeaten in conference play. \nAll Big Ten schools have club volleyball teams except Penn State. \nIU will host the Hoosier Invitational Feb. 3, with a field of 16 schools expected to attend. Purdue, Michigan State and Western Michigan have already accepted invitations to play. Another Big Ten Qualifier tournament will be played Feb. 17 at IU.\nThe team plays all of its home games at the main gym in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building. Other events to watch for this season are the Big Ten Championships at Northwestern April 6 and the National tournament in Kansas City from April 9-15. \nThe team will be traveling most of the semester, but can be seen at practices Tuesday and Thursday from 8-11 p.m. in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building.\nBoos said anyone interested will be given a fair shot to participate on the team, either this season or next.\nLike many club sports at IU, the team promotes unity. Even before Boos arrived at Thursday's practice, the team arrived early to run and stretch.\nFreshman J.T. Gripe, a 1999 Amateur Athletic Union volleyball member and 2000 Indiana State Tournament M.V.P., joined the team because he said he has always been playing club volleyball.\n"I wanted to make sure I did something in college, and since I know some of the guys on the team ahead of time," Gripe said, "this was a perfect fit"
(12/11/00 6:52am)
When many people think of IU athletics, they think of basketball, football or soccer. But IU offers more than just these varsity sports. \nOne such sport is judo. \nAs a club sport, judo does not receive a great deal of financial assistance from the University. There are more than 60 team members with two instructors -- John Hampton (a fourth degree blackbelt) and Vernon Ellette (a second degree blackbelt). The members compete both nationally and internationally.\nSenior Ben Phillips and sophomore Priscilla Cherry serve as club presidents. \nPhillips said the team "welcomes men and women of all ages, nationalities, creeds, weights, races, etc." He said the sport preaches discipline, patience and skill, along with strength. \nOnly three schools in the country offer judo as a varsity sport -- San Jose State (Calif.), Cumberland College (Ky.) and Slippery Rock (Pa.). Most competitions on the national level are with other schools that have judo as a club sport. \nJudo is a martial art Olympic sport. It has Japanese origins, and is a modified form of Jujitsu. America's best showing in the Olympics was a bronze medal in 1954. \nJudo is based on a points system. One can win a point, or "ippon" in several ways, which include throwing your opponent, choking them, performing an armlock or a 25-second pin. \nJudo fighters are divided into weight class, similar to wrestling. \nHampton has been coaching at IU for eight years and has been participating in judo for 32. He said he loves coaching judo and currently teaches a one-credit judo class. Hampton also helps out at the Brown County Parks and Recreation Club. \nThere are all types of people in the club -- beginners, novices and champions -- with people participating for competition and recreation, he said. All students and individuals with a HPER pass are allowed in the club, if over 18 years of age. \nThe team held the Intramural Judo Tournament Dec. 3. The men's winners were freshman Tom Rampley, sophomore Ken Hawkins and senior Nate Long. The women's winners were senior Marie Sharp, music student Caroline Speer and freshman Jessica Ries. \nSeveral of the judo club members are taking their skills to international competition.\nSenior Gene Eydelman is going to Israel this summer to compete in the Macabi Games. Senior Aaron Bacevic DelMar, a member participating in judo for two years after quitting wrestling, is going to Spain for the International Collegiate Judo Championship in mid-December. \n DelMar is the first member in more than 30 years to be representing IU in this competition, and he is fighting in the 100 KG weight class against collegiate Olympians. He is representing the entire country in his weight class and had his trip completely financed by members and friends of the club.\nHe said he just got into judo because he was tired of cutting weight in wrestling.\n"There's no stopping me on the national or international level," DelMar said. "I can't be stopped, I'm going to be world champion."\nHampton stressed the high level of skill the team possesses.\n"This team is loaded with talent and has several players with both high national and international hopes," Hampton said. The coach also said eventually he would like to see the team become a varsity sport.