Sr. Focus: Hoffman enjoys playing defense for Lady Owls soccer team

A lot of high school soccer players like playing offense so they have a chance of scoring that winning goal.
Hana Hoffman of Seymour says defense is fine with her. "I like defense. I play right fullback. I've always started on defense and I've started since I was a freshman."

With games consisting of two 40-minute halves, Hoffman said you have to be in top physical shape to play hard to the end. "It keeps you fit. It is exciting it's an adrenalin rush."

Hoffman said she enjoys marking up her opponent. "Sometimes when there is a really strong offensive player on the other team I'm supposed to mark her. It's a little bit stressful, but it's fun.

"You just have to realize that  you have to keep your head up even if your ‘mark' is the one that scores, and that you can't let it happen again."

She said she doesn't mind getting physical. "You have to put yourself in front of the other person so you can get the ball

"We're working on our communication. We're getting better," Hoffman said. "We have one team captain, Paige (Koop). The sweeper, Bridgette (Jones) is usually the one that keeps us in line."

Hoffman said she worked hard to get in shape for this season. "I went to the stadium every opportunity I had in the summer. We don't lift during the season."
She said most of the practices still last two hours e

xcept on Fridays. "We work on our skills and stuff. We focus on our opponents. Right now we're working on man-to-man defense to prepare for (Columbus) North or Jennings County."

Hoffman began her soccer career playing in the rec leagues in Madison and moved to Seymour prior to her freshman year.

Hana Hoffman file

Parents: Paul and Jana Hoffman

Siblings: Jarrett, Jessey

Sports: Soccer 4 years, track 1 year

Key to winning season: "We just communicate and we have a good team. We have the foreign exchange students help us out in the mid field and that's where were weak last year. So we've got more strength in the offensive area." She said the freshmen, upperclassmen and exchange students have done a good job of working together to produce the winning record.

C.B. Hess Field: "We've played our better games at home so I like playing there."

Away matches: "I like Madison because that's where I came from. I like the Bedford field and the Batesville field."

Moving to Seymour: "I'm glad got involved with the soccer program here because that's where I've met most of my friends." She is recording secretary for the National Honor Society. "I like that," she said. "I just got involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program here. I'm looking forward to being assigned my little sister. Maybe she plays soccer too."

Being a senior: "I'm going to miss school. It's kind of sad. High school has gone by so fast. I'm glad I came to school here."

Future plans: Attend University of Southern Indiana