Indiana University Athletics
Lily Freeman Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
10/5/2026 3:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– Indiana's Lily Freeman was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office on Monday (Oct.5)
Freeman, a second-year back, was a key defender on the Hoosiers' back line in both matchups over the weekend slate. On Friday, she was a key to the 1-0 win over Michigan State. She knocked in the game-winning strike and helped in the effort to hold the Spartans to five shots through the game.
On Sunday, she added press to Ohio State's offense to help the Hoosiers maintain possession in Buckeye territory. Ohio State got no shots off in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the game, when the matchup was at a 1-1 draw, Freeman took action during a penalty corner to secure her second game-winning goal of the match, to win Indiana the contest, 2-1.
IU continues to be undefeated in conference play, improving to 4-0 after weekend play and 8-3 overall.
The conference's selections of weekly award winners are listed below.
Offensive: Ashley Sessa (#4), Sr., F, NU
Defensive: Lily Freeman (#4), So.,B, IND
Freshman: Julia Claessens (#21), Fr., G, IOWA
Freeman, a second-year back, was a key defender on the Hoosiers' back line in both matchups over the weekend slate. On Friday, she was a key to the 1-0 win over Michigan State. She knocked in the game-winning strike and helped in the effort to hold the Spartans to five shots through the game.
On Sunday, she added press to Ohio State's offense to help the Hoosiers maintain possession in Buckeye territory. Ohio State got no shots off in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the game, when the matchup was at a 1-1 draw, Freeman took action during a penalty corner to secure her second game-winning goal of the match, to win Indiana the contest, 2-1.
IU continues to be undefeated in conference play, improving to 4-0 after weekend play and 8-3 overall.
The conference's selections of weekly award winners are listed below.
Offensive: Ashley Sessa (#4), Sr., F, NU
Defensive: Lily Freeman (#4), So.,B, IND
Freshman: Julia Claessens (#21), Fr., G, IOWA
Players Mentioned
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Monday, October 05
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