Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

All the news for Thursday 15 April 2021

Indian men’s hockey team end Argentina tour with 4-2 victory

Goals from Rupinder Pal Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Surender Kumar and Shailanand Lakra helped India end on a winning note.

By Rahul Venkat


Photo: Hockey India

The Indian men’s hockey team beat Olympic champions Argentina 4-2 in their fourth practice match in capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

This was the Indian hockey team’s second victory in four practice matches, with the other two matches ending in a draw and a narrow loss. India also beat Argentina in two FIH Pro League matches - one in a penalty shootout and the other in regulation time.

In the fourth practice match, India wasted no time getting off the blocks as Mandeep Singh won a penalty corner, which was put away by Rupinder Pal Singh in the third minute.

Encouraged by the early goal, India dominated possession and three minutes before the end of the first quarter, they doubled their lead through Jaskaran Singh. Argentina, though, pulled one back through Leandro Tolini just before the close of the first quarter.

The hosts started to look comfortable on the ball and tested the Indian defence in the second quarter but veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a fine save from an Argentine penalty corner to protect the lead.

The final minutes of the second quarter saw both sides looking good in attack but neither could convert their circle entries into goals.

India began positively in the second half with Varun Kumar going on a powerful run to win a penalty corner, which was calmly dealt with by the Argentine defence.

Minutes later in the third quarter, Argentina also won a penalty corner but Indian custodian Krishan Pathak, who has been in fine form on the tour, pulled off a good save.

Youngster Shilanand Lakra put India in command with a field goal ten minutes before full-time.

Though Argentina scored their second through a penalty stroke in the 54th minute through defender Pedro Ibarra, Surender Kumar’s late goal confirmed India’s victory.

Olympic Channel

India beats Argentina 4-2 in final practice game

India's goals were scored by Rupinder Pal Singh (3rd minute), Jaskaran Singh (12th) Shilanand Lakra (50th) and Surender Kumar (58th).



India ended its tour of Argentina with a commendable 4-2 victory in the final practice game here on Wednesday.

India's goals were scored by Rupinder Pal Singh (3rd minute), Jaskaran Singh (12th) Shilanand Lakra (50th) and Surender Kumar (58th).

Argentina's two goals came from Leandro Tolini (14’) and Pedro Ibarra (54th).

India wasted no time in getting off the blocks with Mandeep Singh winning a penalty corner, which was put into the net by Rupinder.

Encouraged by the early goal, India dominated possession and flooded the Argentine circle. Three minutes before the end of the first quarter, the visitor doubled its lead through Jaskaran's impressive field goal.

Argentina, though, pulled one back through Tolini just before the close of the first quarter. The hosts started to look comfortable on the ball and tested the Indian defence in the second quarter.

Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a fine save from an Argentine PC to protect his side's lead.

The final minutes of the second quarter saw both sides looking good in attack but couldn't convert their circle entries into goals.

India made a bright start to the second half with Varun Kumar going on a powerful run and winning a PC. However, the Argentinian defence calmly dealt with the threat to deny India from restoring their two-goal advantage.

Minutes later in the third quarter, Argentina also won a PC but goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, who has been in fine form on the tour, protected his side's lead with a fine save.

Youngster Shilanand put India in command with a field goal 10 minutes before full-time.

Argentina scored its second through a penalty stroke in the 54th minute with senior Argentine defender Ibarra making no mistake. However, Surender's field goal two minutes from time confirmed India's victory, their fourth on the tour.

Sportstar

With 100 days to go, Manpreet, Rani upbeat on podium finishes at Tokyo

S2H Team


Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal

A podium finish at the Olympics, Indian hockey’s great big dream, has an excellent chance of coming true following spirited displays after the international calendar resumed, going by captains of the men’s and women’s teams Rani Rampal and Manpreet Singh.

The Covid-19 pandemic ravaged schedules in the last year but the Indian teams have trained hard at the SAI Centre, Bengaluru. Undeterred by quarantine for long spells of time, the players focused on fitness and technique through the long months as Covid continued to stifle the world.

The women’s team have steadily improved with every outing. Rani and her girls sealed an Olympic spot in 2019 and it meant the first instance of India’s women playing in successive Olympics.

The team built on lessons learned at Rio 2016. The learning curve has been steep but all along chief coach Sjoerd Marijne’s team have showed grit and gumption while challenging the likes of Argentina and Germany, fighting tooth-and-nail all the way.

Although a win eluded them, tours of Argentina, World No. 2, and European heavyweights Germany drew spirited performances from the Indian women. Significantly, Germany are in Pool A along with India at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in July-August. Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands and South Africa complete the pool.

“I am happy with the fight our team showed against Argentina and Germany earlier this year,” Rani said. “Of course, we’re disappointed to have not registered a win, but we have showed that we could hold our own against higher-ranked opponents.

“ Since coming back from Germany, we have been working hard on our finishing and our technique. I feel we have come a long way from a tactical standpoint. I’m confident that once we convert these good performances into results, we will be in the mix for an Olympic medal too.”

On form, the men’s team led by Manpreet Singh is the team to watch. The squad shows a fine balance of youth and experience and have gone from strength to strength from the FIH Pro League which ground to a Covid-induced halt in February last year.

The men in blue emerged unbeaten against the Olympic champions in two practice matches and the double headers in the league from which they collected five points from a possible six over the weekend, going down 0-1 in the third practice game which ended their unbeaten run that started with four practice matches on the European tour against Germany and Great Britain.



Chief coach Graham Reid’s methods have galvanized the team and the ensuing solidity turned on the heat against World champions Belgium, Australia and Netherlands in the FIH Pro League last year.

India are in Pool A at the Olympics and have for company hosts Japan, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Spain.

“Firstly, it was good to be back playing international hockey after a long time,” said Manpreet. “I’m very happy with the progress of the team over the last 18 months. If we continue to build on this, I am sure we can defeat any team. The team spirit is high right now and as I said before, we should use every opportunity we get before the Tokyo Olympics to fine-tune our game. The youngsters in the team have come a long way. I’m hoping this form continues and we put a much better display than what we’d managed in the Rio Olympics,” the India captain added.

Stick2Hockey.com

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Manpreet Singh, Rani Rampal optimistic about Indian hockey's chances at Games

India had won the last of their eight Olympic gold medals in the 1980 Moscow Olympics before the team endured a sharp slide in their fortunes.


Indian men's hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh. Hockey India

New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreeet Singh feels if his side continues with its current good form, it has the potential to end an over four-decade-long Olympic medal drought in Tokyo this year.

India had won the last of their eight Olympic gold medals in the 1980 Moscow Olympics before the team endured a sharp slide in their fortunes.

But in the last couple of years, India have made steady progress.

"Firstly, it was good to be back playing international hockey after a long time. I'm very happy with the progress of the team over the last 18 months. If we continue to build on this, I am sure we can defeat any team," Manpreet said on the occasion of a 100-day countdown to the Tokyo Games, which is scheduled to begin on 23 July.

The Indian team recently got the better of reigning Olympic champions Argentina in the FIH pro league in an away tie.

"The team spirit is high right now and as I said before, we should use every opportunity we get before the Tokyo Olympics to fine-tune our game," Manpreet said.

"The youngsters in the team have come a long way. I'm hoping this form continues and we put a much better display than what we'd managed in the Rio Olympics," he added.

The Indian men's hockey team finished a disappointing eighth at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Like Manpreet, the Indian women's team skipper Rani Rampal too is optimistic about a good show in Tokyo. The team would be making a back-to-back Olympic Games appearance for the first time in the history of the event.

"I am happy with the fight our team showed against World No 2 Argentina and Germany earlier this year," Rani said in a release issued by Hockey India.

"Of course, we're disappointed to have not registered a win, but we have shown that we could hold our own against higher-ranked opponents. Since coming back from Germany, we have been working hard on our finishing and our technique.

"I feel we have come a long way from a tactical standpoint. I'm confident that once we convert these good performances into results, we will be in the mix for an Olympic medal too."

Hockey India has launched 'Hockey te Charcha', a special podcast series to relive the glorious moments of Indian hockey through the voices of some iconic players.

The series, in its first episode, featured a conversation with Harbinder Singh.

Hockey te Charcha will be a fortnightly series in the lead up to the Tokyo Games.

Firstpost

Africa’s spot for the Indoor Hockey World Cup up for Grabs



The 2021 African Hockey Indoor Africa Cup, powered by Pharco and SPAR,  takes place this weekend at the newly built iKhwezi Sports Centre at Thomas More College in Kwazulu Natal. The tournament that features Botswana, Namibia and SPAR South Africa will be played to determine which Men’s and Women’s teams will represent the continent at the 2022 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Belgium.

The tournament which was postponed on multiple occasions and on the verge of cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic that has swept across the globe, will be played without spectators but all teams involved will be delighted that they will have the opportunity to vie for the title as African Champions.

In the Men’s tournament the South African men, backed by Tops at SPAR, will be looking to defend the title they won in Swakopmund in 2017. That victory led the South Africans to 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Berlin and to their current ranking of 11th in the world. The team will look to the experience of Justin Domleo, Rusten Abrahams and Jethro Eustice to guide the team, while Ryan Hack’s experience of two World Cup’s will be key in guiding his team to glory.

The South Africans will know the challenge of the Namibians fairly well from their previous encounters while the Botswana’s offer a fairly unknown, but exciting opposition as the growth of indoor hockey on the continent continues at pace.

In 2017 SPAR South Africa dominated the Indoor Africa Cup in Swakopmund, but a fairy-tale finish in the final saw the game tied and Namibia emerge victorious in the resultant shootout. It was one of the fine underdog stories of sport around the world. They would go to the World Cup and write another show stopping script with 16-year-old Kiana Cormack securing top goal scorer at the tournament. The team that will come to South Africa to defend their title is largely changed from that historical triumph but Maggie Mengo, Petro Stoffberg and Gillian Hermanus will hope they can channel the spirit of 2017 once again.

SPAR South Africa were devastated in 2017 but have since gone on to produce some of the most historic results in Indoor Hockey history with victories against a host of nations including Czech Repbulic, Switzerland, Poland and Namibia too. The team consists of experience spear headed by two icons in Jessica O’Connor and Cindy Hack, while the three debutants once again point to the depth available in South African Indoor Hockey.

There was a taste of what the Botswana Ladies could offer when they were in South Africa for the SPAR Test Series back in 2019 and all involved will be excited to see how the country has developed in their game since that series.

The tournament format sees a round robin where each team plays each other twice over Friday and Saturday before the top two progress to the final on Sunday in a winner takes all match.

Download the fixtures here

Although spectators are not allowed due to the COVID Protocol in place, the games will be live streamed on the Rayder Media YouTube page as well as the FIH Watch Hockey App.

SA Hockey Association media release

Athletes appeals upheld

Hockey Australia advises the appeals of athletes Rachael Lynch and Georgina Morgan into their non-selection for the 2021 Hockeyroos squad have been upheld.

An independent appeals tribunal found due reason to oppose the duo’s non-selection after considering material provided by both parties.

Hockey Australia accepts the decision of the tribunal and will now move to provide both players with an opportunity to be considered under a new selection panel.

Lynch and Morgan were not selected in the 2021 Hockeyroos squad but were afforded the opportunity to appeal.

This appeal decision does not mean the duo gain automatic reentry into the national squad, however both players will again be eligible for selection.

The timing of any further squad selection will be determined by the selection panel.

Hockey Australia media release

Jeremy Davy appointment completes Hockeyroos coaching staff



The Hockeyroos coaching staff for the Tokyo Olympics has been finalised with Jeremy Davy appointed as National Women’s Assistant Coach.

Davy is the final piece of the puzzle joining new Head Coach Katrina Powell, fellow Assistant Coach Katie Allen and Goalkeeper Coach Dave Staniforth responsible for guiding the Hockeyroos’ Olympic campaign.

Davy, who spent the past eight years as the Head Coach of the Western Australia Institute of Sport’s Women’s Hockey Program, is no stranger to the Hockeyroos setup.

He was involved in a coaching capacity at the Hockeyroos’ recent Ausdrill Challenge intra-squad matches, assisted at last November’s National Selection Camp and also through the successful Olympic qualifiers against Russia.

This experience and intel, coupled with the high regard he is held in, made him the ideal candidate three months out from Tokyo.

He was appointed under an expression of interest process on a fixed term contract until the end of August 2021.

“Jeremy has been working in the program on a casual basis and has been doing a fantastic job,” said Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier.

“We appreciate that he has made himself available at short notice in what is a unique circumstance only three months out from the Olympics.”

“Jeremy knows the players, is familiar with the program and the way things are run, is respected by the playing group, and Katrina and Katie are both eager for him to be involved.”

With over 20 years of coaching experience, Davy fulfilled coaching roles at three Junior World Cups, was a Performance Analyst for the Kookaburras’ 2004 Olympic gold medal winning team, and has produced numerous players for the Hockeyroos, Jillaroos and Australian Under 18 team.

“I am delighted to be offered this opportunity to play a part in preparing this group of athletes for what will be one of the most important and special times in their hockey careers,” said Davy.

“I have a genuine connection with the playing group and staff, an up-to-date understanding of the status of the teams’ development and the objectives for the program from a technical and tactical perspective, as well as what the group faces in the international arena.

“I look forward to doing everything I can to support the other coaches, players and staff to achieve the best result in Tokyo.”

Hockey Australia is committed to undergoing a thorough, transparent and rigorous recruitment process for the ongoing Head Coach and Assistant Coach roles post Tokyo in accordance with the review recommendations.

Jeremy Davy Fact File
Born: Tamworth, NSW

Experience
2013-2021 Head Coach, WAIS Women’s Hockey Program
2009-2012 Women’s National Assistant Coach / Resource Management, Hockey Australia High Performance Program
2007-2008 Performance Analyst / Technology Manager, Fremantle Football Club
2001-2006 Men’s Performance Analyst, Hockey Australia High Performance Program
1999-2001 Head Coach, South Australian Institute of Sport (SASI) Men’s Hockey Program
1997-1998 Senior Coach, North Nottingham, United Kingdom
1996-1997 AIS Coaching Scholarship, NSW Institute of Sport

Coaching Appointments 2013-2020
March 2021 - Head Coach, Women’s Highlanders (Ric Charlesworth Classic)
November 2020 - Assistant Coach, Hockey Australia National Selection Camp
February 2020 - National U21 Assistant Role (Japan Series)
October 2019 - Assistant Coach, Perth Thundersticks (Sultana Bran Hockey One League)
July 2019 - WA U21 Head Coach
October 2018 - Head Coach, Perth Thundersticks (Australian Hockey League)
April 2018 - WA U18 Assistant Coach
November 2017 - National Senior Assistant Role (4 Nations)
December 2016 - Assistant Coach, Junior World Cup
July 2017 - WA U21 Assistant Coach
June 2016 - National Development Squad Tour (England)
November 2015 - National Junior Tour (Argentina)
August 2013 Assistant Coach, Junior World Cup (Germany)

Hockey Australia media release

Erin Matson Named ACC Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week

By Avery Trendel


Photo: Dakota Moyer

The ACC announced Tuesday that UNC junior forward Erin Matson was named the league’s Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week.

Matson tallied all three of the Tar Heels’ goals in their 3-2 overtime win at No. 12 Virginia last Friday, with the game-winner coming just 58 seconds into the extra period.

Through just 58 career games at UNC, Matson’s 190 career points move her into third place on the program’s all-time list.

The Tar Heels are the two-time defending national champions and have gone 14-1 this season. Matson leads the team with 21 goals and eight assists, which gives her 50 points for the year.

UNC will wrap up the regular season on Sunday with a road game at Syracuse.

Chapelboro.com

UNC field hockey team relaxes with pickleball, prepares for postseason run

By Caroline Prendiville


UNC senior goalkeeper Amanda Hendry (30) stands in the goal as Boston College sophomore forward Margo Carlin (24) attempts to save the ball in Karen Shelton Stadium Nov. 5, 2020. The Tar Heels beat the Eagles 4-0 in the first round of the ACC playoffs, securing head coach Karen Shelton’s 700th win. Photo by Abe Loven | The Daily Tar Heel

This season has been anything but normal for the No. 1 UNC field hockey team.

The team played an almost full schedule in the fall and is in the midst of its spring season. Due to COVID-19, the ACC was the only conference to hold a fall season, and the Tar Heels came out on top, defeating Louisville in the ACC Championship, 4-2.

Normally in the spring, play is limited to scrimmages and a few competition dates — this spring, however, the team has played a regular-season of games and will potentially play a full postseason leading up to the NCAA Championship.

Because of the length of the season and its strain on the players, head coach Karen Shelton planned a special surprise for her team on Tuesday.  

“We had talked about doing pickleball earlier, so we brought some rackets and instead of practicing, we had a little fun," Shelton said. "This was a good time in the season to take a break.”

It seemed like the team appreciated their head coach's gesture — at least senior goalkeeper Amanda Hendry and redshirt junior forward Meredith Sholder, who won the doubles tournament, did.

“Especially with back-to-back seasons and practice every day, it made things less repetitive,” Sholder said. “It was nice to do something new and different instead of practice. When Coach surprised us with pickleball, everybody was so happy, their faces lit up, and it was such an exciting day.”

Heading into the spring season, the Tar Heels already had a target on their backs with a recent ACC Championship win and 10-1 record in the fall. The team has only continued its winning streak with an undefeated 4-0 start in the spring thus far.

After defeating Duke in double overtime, 4-3, and Virginia in overtime, 3-2, the team is preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. The Tar Heels will play their final game of the regular season at Syracuse on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The team has not faced Syracuse since the semifinals of the ACC Tournament back in November, so the game is sure to be an intense one. Although the last game was an overtime 4-3 win for UNC, Shelton knows the strength and intensity of this Syracuse side.

“This game is a test and an opportunity for us to get better," Shelton said. "If we don’t win the game, Syracuse exploited something and that will be identified. “We would be able to work on our weaknesses going into the (Automatic Qualifier) game, and beyond that, the NCAA Tournament.”

After Sunday, the team will play in the ACC Automatic Qualifier game on Friday, April 23 at Karen Shelton Stadium. The stakes are high since there are only three total at-large bids available and 12 teams who will make the field for the NCAA Tournament, hosted this year by UNC.

“I’m hoping for a good last postseason,” Hendry said. “I have potentially six games left, so I’m hoping to have six great games with my teammates and finish out the year strong.”

Despite the challenges from COVID-19 this year and the lengthiness of the season, the team has pushed through and held its ranking as the number one field hockey team in the country. The Tar Heels have their vision set on a third consecutive NCAA Championship and know what it takes to get there.

“Our kids are resilient and tough-minded, and I’m so proud of our group over the Fall and the Spring that we have put ourselves in a position where we are going to play in the AQ game,” Shelton said.  “We always say that the most important game of the season is the next game. And that is how we feel about Syracuse; it is the most important game of the season.”

The Daily Tar Heel

Maryland field hockey’s clash with Rutgers will pit pupil against teacher

Shane Connuck


Maryland field hockey coach Missy Meharg during her team's 5-1 win over Michigan State on Oct. 25, 2019 at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. (Gabby Baniqued/The Diamondback)

Maryland field hockey coach Missy Meharg remembers when left forward Meredith Long donned Maryland’s black and gold for a pair of seasons in the 2000s. In her second season at College Park in 2005, Long was part of a team that topped Duke in the NCAA championship game.

2005 was a successful season for Long, Meharg and the Terps. They posted a 24-2 record and collected the ACC championship before claiming their fourth national title.

And this weekend, Maryland’s 33rd-year coach will see her forward again. Now Meredith Civico, she has been the head coach of Rutgers field hockey since 2012.

“I’ve been watching her grow as a coach, and I’ve been able to be a big mentor and a part of her life,” Meharg said.

Civico led the Scarlet Knights to a successful season of their own this spring. Her squad is 9-3 — tied for second in the Big Ten — and checked in at No. 6 in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.

“In past years, they’ve been a spoiler-type team,” Meharg said. “And now, they’re playing a quality and a brand of hockey that is right there with the traditional top-10 schools.”

Civico is an Ocean City, New Jersey, native and came to College Park in 2003 after beginning her collegiate career at Boston University. During her first season with the Terriers, she was named to the 2001 America East All-Rookie team.

She spent three seasons with Maryland from 2003-2005, but served a medical redshirt in 2004. In all three of those campaigns, the Terps reached the Final Four.

Meharg got to know her well. And she remembers her field hockey skills fondly.

“[Civico] never lost a 50/50 ball,” Meharg said. “I don’t ever recall her losing in any one-on-one battle. In anything that she did.”

Civico began her coaching career right after her graduation from Maryland. She headed north to Vermont, where she played a role in a variety of areas within the Catamounts’ program, from recruiting and scouting to player development, along with teaching several classes at the university.

She returned to the Old Line State in 2009 to serve as an assistant coach at Towson, where her duties included overseeing recruiting. A season later, she went back to the Garden State and joined the Scarlet Knights’ program as an assistant coach.

Since she was named Rutgers’ head coach in 2012, she and Meharg have become close colleagues — especially after the two East Coast schools moved to the Big Ten conference together in 2014.

“We connect as characters. We compete very similarly,” Meharg said. “We’ve become exceedingly good colleagues … we’ve always bonded.”

And as Meharg looks back at her playing career in College Park, it doesn’t surprise her that the Scarlet Knights have enjoyed so much success in 2021.

“Her intensity and her grittiness is playing out in her players,” Meharg said.

After the Terps’ and Scarlet Knights’ showdowns at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon, the 2021 Big Ten tournament in Iowa City next week looms. But that’s not what’s on people’s minds.

“Everyone on the team is focused on Rutgers,” goalkeeper Noelle Frost said.

And Meharg thinks her player-turned-Big Ten coach colleague feels the same way.

“I’m sure [Civico] would love to come in here and kick coach’s ass,” Meharg said.

The Diamondback

Nikki Freeman’s rise as an Iowa field hockey player

With her hard work and consistency on the pitch, the midfielder has evolved into an important piece and a leader for Iowa.

Ben Palya


Iowa midfielder Nikki Freeman passes the ball during the second quarter of a field hockey game against Maryland on Friday, April 2, 2021 at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Terrapins, 1-0. Hannah Kinson

Sometimes, the players who show don’t show up on the stat sheet are the ones that matter the most.

That’s exactly the case for Iowa field hockey senior midfielder and captain Nikki Freeman, who has been a vital part of Iowa field hockey for the past four seasons.

Freeman came into Iowa with plenty of accolades, winning all-New Jersey first team while also having competed at the 2015 Junior Olympics.

Those experiences certainly helped Freeman adjust to the high level of Iowa field hockey immediately, as Freeman started all but one game her freshman year and helped the team in any way she could.

Freeman has had a team first approach since day one, as Iowa head coach Lisa Cellucci was able to move her around anywhere in the midfield knowing she would be relied on.

“She’s been a fantastic person to have within the program the past four years,” Cellucci said. “We were able to move her around because of how flexible she is and the skillset she possesses. This year she has been an anchor in our midfield and has been so poised.”

She started nearly every game during her sophomore and junior seasons, grabbing a few points while helping to do much of the dirty work in the team and has continued to improve throughout her time as a Hawkeye.
In the spring 2021 season, she has been one of the first names on the team sheet each week as she plays in a more consistent role this season.

The New Jersey native has ascended into the captaincy this season.

“I’ve always been more of a lead by example type by always working super hard on the field,” Freeman said. “I may not be the most vocal person, but I lead through example with my work ethic and encourage my teammates to do the same.”

Senior midfielder Ellie Holley is Freeman’s roommate and has shared a close bond ever since freshman year when the two came to the Iowa program together.

The pair have leaned on each other throughout their time at Iowa and their bond extends beyond the sport. Both Freeman and Holley have the same major and play close together positionally on the pitch.

“We’ve been inseparable for four years, and on and off the field we’ve relied on each other,” Holley said. “It’s been really fun with our connection off the field to play together.”

Freeman’s younger sister, Sammie Freeman, is currently a freshman on the team, meaning the pair have been able to play with each other for the first time ever because of their age difference. Freeman has been grateful for the opportunity to play with her and grow closer in their time together in Iowa City.

The sisters are a long way from home, so having Sammie Freeman in Iowa has been a boost this season.

“Getting to play together this year has been super fun,” Freeman said. “Especially because we’re far from home. So being able to have some family here to spend time with has been really nice.”

As the team turns its attention to the postseason with two more regular season games left, Freeman is eager to have another go at the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAAs. The unselfish midfielder is ready to help her teammates win and make a deep run in her last season as a Hawkeye.

The Daily Iowan