Indiana University Field Hockey’s Lily Freeman Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Indiana’s Lily Freeman was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office on Monday. 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
Kick Time and Television Designation set for Indiana University Football’s Blockbuster vs. Ohio State We have an official kickoff time for one of the most anticipated games in Memorial Stadium history. As is the case each season, the Big Ten is rolling out kick times and television designations a couple weeks ahead of each game. Indiana’s showdown against Ohio State on Oct. 17 will kick at 12 p.m. ET and air to a national audience on FOX. It will mark the second week in a row IU gets the FOX Noon selection. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show is expected to be on site, and we understand ESPN’s College Gameday is also a possibility. The game will feature a pair of top-10 teams and will be a rematch of the 2025 Big Ten Championship game. It is expected to have major implications in the chase for the 2026 league title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State has opened the season 4-1 with its lone loss coming at No. 1 Texas. The Buckeyes are No. 5 in the AP top-25, and No. 6 in the coaches poll.
Homestand Continues as the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Soccer Team Host Kentucky Coming off a ranked victory in Big Ten play, unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Indiana men’s soccer (9-0-2, 4-0-1 B1G) gets a break from its conference gauntlet with a pair of non-con contests in the matchweek. First up, the Hoosiers host Kentucky (1-5-3, Tonight on Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Fans unable to attend the match can watch via the Big Ten Network. Tonight is For the Kicks Night at Armstrong Stadium as IU Soccer and IU Dance Marathon team up to support the Riley Hospital for Children. IUDM will host a family-friendly tailgate with free food and games for fans of all ages starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, Indiana men’s soccer is hosting Greek Night! IU fraternity and sorority students can check in at the IU athletics marketing table during the game – the house that brings the most members to the game will win a prize from the program! IU Credit Union joins in on the excitement with a stadium tote bag giveaway for the first 500 fans in attendance.
Tonight marks the third match of a four-match homestand. IU is 8-0-0 and has outscored visitors 18-4 at Bill Armstrong Stadium this season thanks to its loyal fanbase, which has managed a 3,577 average attendance. IU’s defensive performances have told the story of its unbeaten start, as the Hoosiers rank top of the Big Ten and No. 3 nationally in goals against average (.545). Goalkeeper Michal Mroz leads the Big Ten in every major goalkeeping category.
The Hoosiers went 5-0-1 in their first round of non-conference matches, outscoring opponents 10-3. Kentucky and Hanover College will round out the non-con schedule, as IU looks to go unbeaten in such games for the second straight season. Indiana forward Stephane Njike has totaled seven G/A in six games after scoring and assisting in IU’s 3-1 victory over No. 4 Maryland Friday night.
Kentucky is also fresh off a ranked win. The Wildcats got their first victory of the season Friday, taking down No. 23 Old Dominion, 4-2. The Kentucky program has reached the NCAA Tournament in 11 of the last 14 seasons, including last season. Costa Iliadis has recorded two goals, three assists and seven points to lead the Wildcats this season. Michael Lee has two goals, one assist and five points. Head coach Johan Cedergren leads Kentucky in his 15th season, carrying a 157-79-51 record.
Indiana has historically dominated the all-time series with Kentucky, winning 28 of the 36 matches since the series began in 1973, as well as 17 of the first 18 meetings. IU put together a comeback victory when last hosting Kentucky in 2024, a 3-2 result. The Hoosiers trailed at the half, but goals in the 52nd, 57th and 85th minutes pushed them over the line. Michael Nesci scored the late winner. The Hoosiers needed another comeback last season in Lexington, as Palmer Ault bagged a brace with goals in the 64th and 79th minutes to steal a road victory. In both 1999 and 2003, Kentucky was the first team Indiana defeated in its runs to the NCAA Championship – Coach Jerry Yeagley’s fifth and sixth titles. In 2008, IU’s Kevin Noschang scored the fastest goal from the start of the game in NCAA history, breaking the goal line after six seconds in a 1-1 draw.
Indiana University Men’s Golf Closes the Fighting Irish Classic in 10th Place The Indiana men’s golf team shot an 859 (291-282-286; +19) to secure 10th place at the Fighting Irish Classic at the Warren Golf Course on Monday. Fourth-year Cole Starnes returned to form to shoot a team-best 209 (73-66-70; -1). He converted nine birdies and an eagle on the 518-yard Par 5 in the second round. Starnes tied for eighth in the individual standings, the first top-10 finish for a Hoosier this season. The result was his best finish since opening the 2025-26 season tied for eighth at the Rod Myers Invitational. Second-year Jake Cesare compiled a steady three rounds at 212 (72-70-70; +2). Cesare, who finished atop the Hoosier leaderboard in the last two tournaments, played the final 43 holes of the tournament at 1-under par. He totaled nine birdies. Fourth-year Nick Piesen signed for a 220 (73-75-72; +10) with seven total birdies throughout the event. Third-year Bradley Chill Jr. added a 221 (74-73-74; +11) to the Hoosier ledger with six birdies. Third-year Jamison Ousley played a 223 (73-73-77; +13) with seven birdies scattered across three rounds. The Hoosiers will close team competition in the fall slate at the Purdue Fall Invitational from Oct. 12-13 at the Kampen-Kosler Golf Course in West Lafayette.
Taylor University’s Hayden Fox Honored by Crossroads League as Golfer of the Week The Crossroads League announced its weekly honors on Monday, with Hayden Fox being named the CL Men’s Golfer of the Week after his performance in the Battle at Blackthorn. Fox flirted with making history at the event, securing his first collegiate title by shooting rounds of 70 and 66 for a 36-hole total of 136. That mark of eight-under par put Fox just two strokes shy of matching Taylor’s two-round scoring record. Through his first three collegiate tournaments, Fox has led the Trojans twice, while posting a scoring average of 71.6 and registering five rounds of par or better in his eight rounds of competition. The weekly honor is the first for Fox in his young career and moves TU Athletics to 18 such honors during the 2026-2027 year. Fox and the Trojans will return to action on October 12 and 13 to compete in the Crossroads League Preview in Columbus, Indiana.
17-year-old Yorktown High School Football Star Killed in Muncie shooting A 17-year-old Yorktown football star was killed overnight during a shooting in Muncie, according to local police. Christopher “Chris” Wilson Jr. was reportedly shot multiple times before being pronounced dead on scene by the coroner’s office. The 17-year-old played defensive end at Yorktown High School and was committed to play college football for West Virginia. Muncie police were called just before 3 a.m. Monday to the 1400 block of E. Cromer Avenue for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found Wilson inside a vehicle and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Wilson was declared dead on scene, according to a statement from Muncie PD. The investigation into his death is ongoing, and anyone with information is being asked to call 911 or Muncie Police at 765-747-4867.
Yorktown Community Schools confirmed Wilson’s death in a statement sent to local families. That full statement can be read below: “Dear YCS Families, With great sadness, I share that Chris Wilson, a senior at Yorktown High School, died tragically early this morning. His family has given us permission to share this news. Chris was a valued member of our school, our football team, and our community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates. Muncie Police are leading the investigation, and Yorktown Police have confirmed there is no threat to our students or schools. Your student may hear this news over break. Please check in with them, listen, and let us know if they need support. Our counselors will be available when school resumes. If your student needs immediate help, call or text 988. Please keep Chris’s family in your hearts.”
In a statement from the high school, Principal Stacey Brewer called Wilson a “kind, respectful and good young man” with a “bright future and big dreams.” Head football coach Mike Wilhelm called Wilson a “great football player, but an even better friend and teammate.” “He was highly respected because he treated others with love and kindness,” Wilhelm said. “Uncommonly, he never sought out the attention that came with being a high Division-1 football recruit. He showed up every day and worked hard to get better. Our team has lost a brother, and we will carry him with us forever.”
West Virginia University football acknowledged Wilson’s passing with a statement Monday afternoon on social media: “We are heartbroken by the passing of WVU commit Chris Wilson Jr,” the post read. “The entire “WVU Football program sends its thoughts and prayers to Chris’ family, friends, teammates and loved ones.” Yorktown Football recently posted a “get to know you” about Wilson, detailing the 17-year-old’s interests. To read more about the star defensive end, click here. For more information on his football recruitment from ESPN, click here.
Taylor Trojans Football Receive Votes Once Again in NAIA Top-25 Poll The Taylor football team again received votes in the NAIA Top-25 Poll announced on Monday, extending a streak of receiving votes in each of the five polls to date in the 2026 season. The Trojans were among the 34 teams to be ranked or receive votes in the latest poll, moving back one spot on the list from the prior ratings. Taylor has gone 3-2 through the first half of the schedule, with its two setbacks coming on the road to now-No. 17 Olivet Nazarene and now-No. 10 Marian. The TU defense has played well of late, holding foes to 16.7 points per game over its last three outings and just 354.3 total yards per outing. Those averages on a season-long pace would put Taylor No. 17 in scoring defense and No. 38 in total defense in the NAIA. Grady Stanley has led the strong play, pacing the Purple and Gray with 19 tackles over TU’s last three contests, with Samuel Ringer, Owen Folta and Maverick Brown each adding 15 stops during that time. RV Taylor (3-2) will begin a stretch of three-straight home games and four home outings in its next five weeks when it welcomes Saint Mary of the Woods (0-4) to Turner Stadium for a 7:00 pm Homecoming kickoff on Saturday, October 10.