Indiana Field Hockey will open its 2026 campaign at home, with the first match slated for Friday, September 4 at 3 p.m. against New Hampshire and a second contest on Monday, September 7 at noon versus Central Michigan, both to be played at Deborah Tobias Field in Bloomington, Indiana.
Season Opener and Early Lessons
The Hoosiers arrived at the season after a rough opening weekend in Louisville, where they dropped both games on August 29‑30. Despite taking 28 shots over the two matches and generating a combined 37 attempts, they managed only eight saves, with senior goalkeepers Sadie Canelli and Isa Smulders playing key roles. The weekend also featured a dramatic overtime period in which Celia Arroyo Cabezudo equalized for Louisville before the Cardinals secured a penalty‑stroke winner in the 72nd minute.
Among the bright spots was Gabriela Gayayo Aranceta, who scored her first collegiate goal in her opening start on Saturday, a milestone that underscored the emergence of several newcomers. Five players made their collegiate debuts that weekend, including Gabriela Garayo Aranceta, Berta Sáenz de Santa Maria, Augustina Garmonal, Isa Smulders and Elle Obenour, and the team attempted 11 shots in the third period against each opponent.
Indiana’s historical dominance over its upcoming rivals is notable. The Hoosiers are unbeaten in five meetings with New Hampshire, the so‑called Wildcats, last meeting in 2016 with a 5‑3 home victory, and hold a 10‑1 edge against Central Michigan, whose recent form includes a 2‑1 loss to Stanford on August 31. Both opponents are currently winless, with New Hampshire sitting 0‑2 after defeats to Saint Joseph’s and UConn, and Central Michigan at 0‑3.
Adding to the pageantry, six senior players will be honored on Labor Day before the Central Michigan showdown, recognizing Ava Winner, Javi Baeza, Theresa Ricci, Hannah Riddle, Inés Garcia Prado and Karly Redman for their contributions to the program.
With a strong record against the Wildcats and a deep bench of talent, the Hoosiers look poised to turn the early setbacks into a springboard for a successful season, beginning with the home opener against New Hampshire.