Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Alright, is everyone ready?!
 
February 4th, 2015 was National Signing Day for those interested in pursuing college athletics, and we are lucky to say that we have had (so far) ten people to sign on to our program, and our eleventh member who we have had much anticipation around, Rory!

Michele Govern, Emma Risley, Hope Huelsmann, Rebecca Riley, Amber Perry, Stephanie Burdsall, Amy Wilson, Heather Roeder, Tia Peters, Sierra Singer, and our newest member through TeamIMPACT, Rory Halbert, will be joining our roster next year.

I just want to say how excited we all are to have you guys, especially with some big changes happening in the program. With the resignation of our former head coach, Kiley Cirillo, and our assistant coach, Amanda Mason, who has taken a head coaching position out of state, we have had an interesting couple of months! However, just knowing what greatness you all have to offer the team, I cannot wait to meet you and get started!

Fortunately we were able to be there for one of our signees:

Jess Bentley and Rory Halbert at her Press Conference

On February 6th, there was a press conference held for our first TeamIMPACT player. It was a very special day for our team. Assistant A.D., Jackie Paquette, spoke first and announced the inclusion of Rory to our roster for the 2015-2016 year. Next, our Athletic Director, Dr. Sue Willey, spoke on behalf of the University and the team and shared that Rory was the first girl in the TeamIMPACT program here at UIndy. Next was our very own Jess Bentley, who spoke on behalf of our team. Together her and Rory sang the chorus to The Lego Movie theme song and everyone got a good laugh in! 

(To see the whole video, click here.)


Some of us were even able to hang out with her that following weekend at a home basketball game.

Jess Bentley, Hannah Mangus, Celine Ehret,

Kacey Wilson, Lindsey Bryant (me) and Rory 

hanging out at the basketball game.

We couldn't be happier to have this new class coming in, and can't wait to share many more moments with Rory this spring.

More UIndyWSoccer news headed your way, so stay tuned!
GO HOUNDS!
Lindsey #13

 

New Year, New Beginnings

Hello all!

It's been a crazy beginning of the year so far UIndy Women's Soccer, which means there are lot of things to be updated!

First of all, I apologize for the delay, this is the first week we have completely wound down and I have had some free time away from classes. 

At the very beginning of the year, a couple of the teammates went and supported the Circle City Power Soccer team in the Greenwood Power Soccer tournament on January 10th! Jessica Bentley and I were able to even able to work the score boards and score cards. 

Jess Bentley, Lindsey Bryant and Team U.S.A. and
Circle City Member, Case Calvert, sharing in a dorky moment between matches.

Leaving the tournament undefeated, we wish the Circle City Rollers the best of luck. The World Cup training is already underway, and a couple of the other teams present at the tournament had Team U.S.A. members, so it was an exciting experience for all and a good gauge to how the season and upcoming training sessions would be. We wish Coach Hayes, The Circle City Rollers and Team U.S.A. the best of luck in the coming months! Hope to see you all soon. 

Head Coach Mike Hayes and team with assistant Coach,
Ryan Baca, Lindsey Bryant (Me), and Jess Bentley.

This next post coming up is to announce some big news from the program! Stay tuned!

GO HOUNDS!

Lindsey #13

 

Gift Giving - Revealed!

Monday, December 8th, marked the day before finals commenced at UIndy.

Because of having a different class schedule,the team was able to use that prep-day to bring gifts from the wrapping party (see post) to a family who were displaced from their home in University Heights area.

We headed off to IPS School 65, trash bags in hand, gifts all wrapped and unable to contain our excitement. None of us even knew what the family looked like, and we could not wait to see the looks on their faces as they opened their gifts and donations!

The little baby, Brooklyn, getting her stocking!

Junior Keki Elliott sharing this precious moment with the family.

Another unexpected surprise was the guest we picked up for the journey, Santa! We quickly became his helpers, and he brought in one of the big trash bags full of gifts. The two older children could not stop smiling when they saw him and Santa (Jordan) handed out the first few gifts to each of the family members.

  

The kids were so excited to see Santa and open their gifts!

The kids could not have been happier and more grateful, and neither were we. It was a humbling experience and such a reward to be there for them when this family needed it most. We couldn't have done it without the help of our coaching staff, training staff, and Daryl Gibb's and his classes donations. Because of all of this help, we got to give this family a holiday season that they did not think would come, and that was the biggest reward of all. And thank you, Jackie Paquette for being there, sharing in the excitement and capturing some of these photos for us.

I'm going to miss these ladies so much for the next month, and cannot wait to pick up where we left off. 
It's going to a big year for UIndy Women's Soccer, I can just feel it. 

What a good lookin' crew, huh?

 

GO HOUNDS!
Lindsey #13

Power Soccer... Indescribably Awesome

It took me a while to think of a title for this post. 
In the end, I just decided to call it what came to mind: indescribably awesome.

The experience that I shared with my teammates Jess Bentley and Keki Elliott, and Head Coach Kiley Cirillo and Assistant Coach Ryan Baca, left me without words. 

Two weeks ago I didn't know Power Soccer existed. I know I've said it was indescribable, but I'm leaning now on the brief description from the United States Power Soccer Association site to shed some light and give you a quick intro to the sport:

The USPSA is the governing body for Power Soccer in the United States. Power Soccer is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users. Athletes' disabilities include quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and many others. The game is played in a gymnasium on a regulation basketball court. Two teams of four players attack, defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch soccer ball in a skilled and challenging game similar to able-bodied soccer. 

You also need to watch this introductory video from the USPSA site. 

 The beginning of a typical power soccer practice.

So why is this relevant to us, or our team? I'm glad you asked. The five of us (Jess, Keki, Kiley, Ryan and I) got to meet elite power soccer players, including some members of the U.S. National Team. 

These players are part of the Power Soccer of Indy teams, specifically on the Circle City Rollers. We were able to meet five of the athletes: Chris Parsons, Kevin Perry, Michael Archer, Natalie Russo and Case Calvert. Three of them will be competing in the World Cup next year: Michael, Natalie, and Case. 

 Just talking to U.S. World Cup athlete, Natalie Russo... no big deal.

After watching their practice, we were allowed to use the power chairs to experience what it's like to play. We weren't even on the highest speed and I felt like I was out of my element. The game is so tactical and technical, it was incredible just to watch the highest caliber athletes in the game, let alone try to do what they do on the court.

Keki and I learning tactics from U.S. Head Coach, Mike Hayes,

and Dominic Russo, the President of the U.S. Power Soccer Association.

 

 Jess getting some tips from U.S. World Cup Athlete, Case Calvert.

Hopefully for UIndy Women's Soccer, coming to watch this practice was only the beginning of our involvement with Power Soccer. With the Greenwood Power Soccer tournament coming up on January 10th, we'll have some of the best teams in the country playing right in our backyard.

Thank you to the athletes, Head Coach, Mike Hayes, and President of the U.S. Power Soccer Association, Dominic Russo, for letting us come watch a practice and giving us a quick Q&A and tutorial afterwords.

We can't wait to see you all again!
And for the rest of our fans reading, I'll keep you updated on what's up-and-coming for both teams.



Check out these links to learn more:
Keep in mind, some of them are already linked in this post.

Circle City Rollers Facebook Page
Power Soccer of Indy
United States Power Soccer Association Site

And follow them on twitter:
Circle City Rollers: @ccrpowersoccer
U.S. Power Soccer Association: @powersoccerusa
U.S. Power Soccer Team: @usntpowersoccer

As always,
GO HOUNDS!
Lindsey #13

Wrapping Party!

Oh boy, do we have some exciting things happening with our team right now (told you I'd be back soon)! 

This post is specifically addressing something we decided to do a while ago, and now we're finally putting it into action. 

A month or so ago, a tragic fire took the home of a local Indy family. Hearing about it through her professor, Sophomore Hannah Mangus brought it to the team's attention and we all thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use the resources and passion we have to help a family that really needed it. 

Recruiting help from the team, coaching staff, Men's Soccer, Daryl Gibbs, Daryl's New Student Experience class, the weight room staff, Jackie Paquette and many others, we were able to forge together gifts, food, well-wishes and enthusiasm for the family and the three children. 

 A sneak preview of the gifts... eek!

 Today was our official wrapping party where some of the team and Kiley were able to wrap the gifts (obviously), write cards, and have the ability to bond over bringing joy to someone outside of our little UIndy family.

The aftermath of the wrapping, not too bad!

We plan on having our gift exchange this Monday. Daryl's New Student Experience class will be joining the team and coaching staff when we give the children a happy holiday that they didn't think they would receive. 
 

Our lovely freshman, Celine Ehret, signing the card.

I personally couldn't be more proud of this group of girls. Already we've made such a difference in our community and we don't seem to be slowing down. We have more big things ahead, and it is such a blessing to say that I am apart of something bigger than myself. 

That's what being a part of this team has done for me. I'm sure others can say the same. Spring hasn't even started and we are already planning so many activities. We're all especially eager for the exchange on Monday with this family. 

 

We have very few completely serious moments!

There will be further updates on how the exchange goes and what we plan on doing next. 

Until then, 

GO HOUNDS!
Lindsey #13  

OUR NEW TEAMMATE/SISTER/FAMILY MEMBER!

We'd like to give a BIG, OFFICIAL welcome to our newest teammate!

This year we decided to take in a nine-year old girl named Rory Halbert. We had Rory on campus this past Tuesday (November 25th) from TeamIMPACT, so she could see what UIndy campus life was all about. 

In the process, she got to meet some of our teammates and coaches. 

Rory with Head Coach Kiley Cirillo, Junior Keki Elliot, Junior Jess Bentley, Assistant Coach Amanda Mason, Sophomore Hannah Mangus, and Assistant Coach Ryan Baca (That was a mouthful.)

She fit right in with the personalities of the team and she is ready to be a Greyhound (well technically, she's not a greyhound, she's a human, as she stated during lunch in the good ol' Schwitz caf). 

Jess has found her mini-me... uh oh.

We can't wait for her to return this winter, and it all becomes official when she signs her letter of intent on National Signing Day February 4th, 2015. 

In the meantime, we'll be taking her to basketball games and other team bonding activities.
Again, as a fellow super-fan of The Lego Movie, I cannot wait to meet you, Rory! The rest of us are just as excited to start this journey with you. 

Thank you for letting us be a part of your life, and we are so happy to have you in our family!

Updates to come for Rory and the team, stay tuned!

GO HOUNDS!
Lindsey #13

Fall Season Re-Cap

Hey there UIndy Women's soccer fans!

With the semester wrapping up and the season coming to a close, there are a few updates you may have missed since I've been incognito during the fall (my apologies).

 

Supporting the football team at Homecoming!

         We ended the season 5-9-4 overall and 4-7-4 in conference. Unfortunately we had some matches that did not turn out the way we wanted to, but this just means that we have all the more to prove going into the next season!

        Despite what the outcome looked like, this season was full of heart, passion, integrity and we still conquered as a family. United. As one. #Familyship (borrowing this from the men's team for a second).

Keki's not ready for season to end!

          Going into the spring, we've had a change of pace. I am going to use this post to commemorate the seniors that we lost. Megan Fee, Tracie Meyer, Stacey Klene, Kara Webb, Katie Johnston and Katie Crump were the rocks on which our team was built this year. They were all leaders, on and off the field. Without the six of you, we would not have been able to survive the season. Thank you for making our program better, only because you were here to lead us through adversity. We love you guys! Go take on the real world now! Our cute little pups, all grown up! (I'm trying not to shed a couple of tears...) 

 

Our lovely seniors... s'cute! 

Even though we lost some great teammates on the field, they'll be forever with us in our hearts! However, there's still work to do. The 2014 squad has only begun their journey. With our freshmen showing initiative and the rest of the team ready to work we're headed in the right direction for the upcoming spring season.

Some of the plans for Winter and Spring include:
1. Assisting a family who's home perished in a fire. Hannah Mangus is spearheading our mission to assist the family in any way we can and giving them the holiday season they do not think they will get. There will be updates on this activity soon!
2. We've got a new member in our soccer family! Rory Halbert! Welcome! There's an entire post dedicated to her and how excited we are to have her coming shortly as well.

Stay tuned for some big things ahead. Even I'm too excited to stand it!

GO HOUNDS!
Lindsey #13