Aug. 20, 2009
The Indiana women’s soccer team returns 22 players from a year ago, including all the goals scored and assists in addition to all but 100 minutes of game action. The Hoosiers also have three players returning that have received either first or second team All-Big Ten accolades in their career, led by senior defender Kelly Lawrence, who is just the second player to be named to the first team on two occasions. Senior Christie Kotynski and senior Kristin Arnold join Lawrence in receiving the conference honors in their careers.
Schedule
The Hoosiers will play 11 games at home this year, including its first four to start the season. And of those home games, three will be against teams ranked in the NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll, led by a Sept. 4 meeting with No. 10 Florida. After the opening homestand, the Hoosiers hit the road for three games before returning to Armstrong Stadium for a pair of non-conference games against Green Bay and Butler. Then the Big Ten season gets underway with IU going on the road for games at Northwestern and Wisconsin.
In the month of October, Indiana will play a total of six games and five will be at home, including games against preseason No. 17 Illinois and No. 12. A pair of road games awaits the Hoosiers to close out the regular season as they hit the road to Ohio State and No. 19 Minnesota.
Forwards
Senior Liz Holby could also be set for a breakout season in 2009 after tying for the team lead in goals as a junior and increasing her goal output in each of her three seasons with the Hoosiers. Sophomore Devon Beach matched Holby with four goals last year and will once again look to provide some offense for the Hoosiers. Another senior, Kristin Arnold, has also shown the ability to score at a high level, evidenced by her ten goals scored as a sophomore. Also competing for time and adding a tremendous amount of depth at the forward position will be Leigh Anne Cummings, Carly Samp, Darby Hannon and Jocelyn Moses along with freshmen Ciersten Burks and Orianica Velasquez Herrera.
Midfield
At the midfield, Christie Kotynski and Chloe McKay, who combined for four goals and seven assists last year, lead Indiana. Kirsta Kellin played in all 19 games last year as freshman and will have that experience to build upon as she enters her second season wearing the Cream and Crimson while senior co-captain Natalie O’Bryan brings a wealth of experience to the position as well. Adding skilled depth to the midfield will be Kaylin Clow, Katie Burden, Gina Daniele and freshman Molly Buynak.
Defense
In addition to All-Big Ten performer Kelly Lawrence, senior co-captain Jessica Boots will help anchor a defense that allowed just eight goals in conference play last year and finished the season without allowing a goal over the final 330:58. Kerri Krawczak and Talyor Fallon were key contributors last year and will once again be looked to for the defensive expertise. Juniors Susan Swepston and Taylor Miller and freshman Hannah Davidson will push for time in the defense as well for the Hoosiers.
Goalkeepers
In goal, the Hoosiers have three players returning that are all very solid options for head coach Mick Lyon. Lindsay Campbell saw a bulk of the action last season on her way to a 5-6-1 record, a 0.77 goals against average and four shutouts while Lauren Hollandsworth earned seven starts and made 20 saves. Redshirt freshman Lex Dickison played in two games and could vie for time in goal this season as well.
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