Selfless Moeljadi leads field hockey

Brenna Moeljadi will probably be pretty embarrassed to see this article is about her. Moeljadi, a senior back, might then go on to tell you that it’s been a team effort. Her play has only been because of opportunities set up by those around her.

It’s been that unselfish attitude so far this season that has helped the field hockey team jump to a 2-0 start.

“That’s just her personality,” IU Coach Amy Robertson said. “She never really needs a spotlight. She’s not ego driven, and she really is about the team.”

Moeljadi, who has three assists and a goal so far this season, led the team last year with six goals during an injury-plagued 2010. It was that leadership that earned her a spot on the first-team All-Big Ten and earned her the title of captain for this season. Those accomplishments are what have motivated her to keep improving in the offseason.

“She’s more fit than she’s ever been, and her game is able to be played at a higher pace,” Robertson said. “Everything about her game has more tempo, and she’s even more aggressive.”

Her work ethic was rewarded as she was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. This is the first time a Hoosier has won the award since Alex Mann did in Oct. 2009.

Seen playing both in the midfield and the backfield, Moeljadi said she does it for the team, not for personal stats. And there are constantly things she works to improve upon.
“Just to grow more as a leader, especially in the upcoming games when we have a tendency to be in kind of some lulls during the game,” Moeljadi said. “Trying to get our team out of those is something that is a big challenge for me.”

With all starters back from last year, the team’s chemistry has been key so far, but an off-field tactic instilled by Robertson is maybe what has been most helpful for the team.

“This season is a lot different than the past in that she is really (aware) of our bodies and how we’re recovering,” Moeljadi said. “She’s really taking the time to make sure that we are adequately recovered for each game, each practice. That has been a big difference.”

Looking ahead, there are still adjustments the team needs to make to keep the momentum going.

The Hoosiers have two games this weekend as they face Ball State at noon on Saturday and Missouri State at noon on Sunday. Both matches are at home.

“We have to continue to refine our defense. We’re still getting away with some things in our structure where things are breaking down,” Robertson said. “Because we’re so gritty, we get back into play, but we should have been organized from the
beginning.”