Freshmen contribute early for Hoosiers

For first-year women's soccer coach Mick Lyon, it's been first-year players who've been making an impact.\nFreshmen defender Ryan Hanley and midfielder Kristen Zmijewski have both made big contributions on the field this season.\nHanley has started two games for the Hoosiers and played in all three. She's been a valued member to a defense that has suffered minor injuries to junior Carly Everett and senior Dana Philp.\nZmijewski has had one assist and five shots on goal in her first three games. She's started two games and is second to senior co-captain Kara Bryan in shots taken with eight.\nAssistant Coach Ian Rickerby said normally he would like the luxury of phasing freshmen players into the system to ensure solid development, but this year's situation does not allow it. \n"It's actually quite a good testimony to recruiting that you can go out and bring in freshman that are ready to play straight away," Rickerby said. \nRickerby noted the freshmen players are eager and ready for a new playing style.\n"One advantage that the freshmen have is that they haven't gotten used to any other system," Rickerby said. "Some of the upperclassmen are probably taking longer to adjust because they're used to playing differently." \nThe fact the entire team has new coaches has leveled the playing field for the younger players.\n"It's been a really good experience," Hanley said. "I've been learning a ton. It was nice to have new coaches because everyone was kind of new to the program." \nNeither player expected to start but both are proud of themselves for putting forth the extra effort and making an impact on the team. \n"Coming in I didn't really expect anything. I knew I had to prove myself during preseason. There was no position that was promised to me," Hanley said. "So I came out and I worked really hard. I was really surprised and excited by starting." \nZmijewski said starting early in the season has made her want to continue her role as a starter.\n"Once I did start I knew that I wanted to keep that position so I just pushed myself every time," Zmijewski said. "I'm proud of myself for doing that," Zmijewski said. \nBoth freshmen said when choosing IU the size and atmosphere of the campus were big draws. But, they said managing time has been a major adjustment.\n"When we started school I was really stressed out," Zmijewski said. "The first day I didn't know what to do, balancing the homework and things. It's a little bit tougher, but now I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. It's working out well."\nCoach Rickerby said he's been pleased with Hanley and Zmijewski's development. \n"We've asked Ryan to do more than maybe we'd have wanted in a perfect world," Rickerby said. "She's stepped up and done the job. She's got a lot to learn, but she brings a lot to the team. Zmijewski, Z, as we call her, she's just a natural super athlete, and we need her on the field. With her athleticism and effort she's going to play somewhere."\nWhile these Hoosiers may lack experience playing Big Ten quality opponents, Rickerby is confident the coaching staff will put the right group on the field to win.\n"We play the best 11 people," Rickerby said. "They've just shown themselves to be good at what they're doing"