IU Coach Amanda Janney is sad to see this year’s crop of seniors leave.
Their leadership, Janney said, has made everyone proud.
This Friday against Ohio State will be the last time senior midfielders Morgan Dye and Mollie Getzfread and senior defenders Kate Barber and Malia Fujisawa set foot on the IU Field Hockey Complex for a collegiate match in IU’s annual Senior Day game.
“It is going to be a weird transition,” Dye said. “Field hockey has been such a huge part of our lives for so long, when it is not there anymore it is just going to be a little missing spot.”
During their careers as Hoosiers, the seniors have experienced victories and defeats that have established them as leaders for the squad.
Dye said their victories last season against ranked opponents at Iowa and Northwestern were some of her most memorable moments playing for IU, because they showed the team what they were capable of and gave the program more confidence.
However, it was a Sept. 17, 2015 loss that made the biggest difference.
“Last year when we lost to Maryland was a really good experience,” Dye said. “We only lost by one goal in overtime. It was a game we went in thinking we were a huge underdog, so then to go in a play right with them and hang for the whole game was a really good learning point for us that we are that good of a team.”
All four seniors have started each game this season and are contributing significantly on the field.
Barber is currently having her best season, as she’s scored 16 goals in 16 games and notched the game-winning goal against No. 12 Michigan to give IU its first win over a ranked opponent on the road in 10 years last weekend.
Fujisawa has been an essential pillar in the Hoosier backline and leads the team with five defensive saves.
However, the seniors haven’t only served as examples on the field for the rest of their teammates but in the classroom with their academic performance too.
All four of them have received the Academic All-Big Ten award during their junior and sophomore years here at IU. Last season, Dye even received the Jack D. Tichenor award, which is given to IU’s female athlete with the highest grade point average.
As the season comes to an end, the seniors are already planning on staying in touch so they can go on yearly trips in the upcoming years.
“I think without a doubt my senior class, they are my best friends now,” Fujisawa said. “They are my sisters. I would never trade them for anything, and I think it has been such a blessing to be able to be with this class.”
