Panthers Head to Indianapolis for Season Opening Weekend

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Panthers open the 2011 season on the road as they take on Drury (Mo.) at 5 p.m. this Friday at Key Stadium on the campus of Indianapolis. ODU then squares off against the UIndy Greyhounds at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4.

About the Black-and-Gold:
ODU and third year head coach, Jonathan Meade, look to continue the Panthers recent string of success and improve upon their 7-4-3 conference mark and third place finish in the GLIAC South Division. The Panthers have reached double digit wins in four straight seasons, including an 11-4-3 mark last season giving Meade a record of 23-7-6 at ODU and career mark of 157-68-13 in 11 years.

Along with 13 newcomers, the Panthers return seven starters and 14 letterwinners, including senior forward and ODU’s all-time career assists leader, Sierra Patterson. Patterson led the team with six assists and was second in goals (5), points (16) and game-winners (2). Also back is junior forward Jennifer Holton. A Second Team All-GLIAC selection, Holton led the Panthers with seven goals, 17 points, 27 shots on goal, four game-winning goals, and was second on the squad with three assists and 40 shots.

On the defensive side, ODU returns senior defenders Slone Fleak and Marie Fudacz and junior defender Shara Perry. With a combined 47 starts (out of a possible 54), the trio anchored a Panther defense that ranked third in the GLIAC in goals allowed (17) and goals against average (0.94), while tying for the second most shutouts with eight.

About the Panthers:
The Panthers, the preseason No. 6 in the GLVC, return five starters and 11 letterwinners from last year’s squad that went 8-9-2 overall and finished eighth in the conference with a 6-6-2 mark. Back in 2011 are Kelly Gallagher and Nicole Williams, two of the Panthers top three goal scorers from a year ago. Gallagher finished with a team-high four goals, while Williams finished tied for second in both goals and assists, recording three apiece.

About the Greyhounds:
UIndy, the ninth-ranked team in the GLVC preseason poll, welcome back nine starters and 21 letterwinners from 2010. The Greyhounds, 4-10-2 overall and 4-8-2 in the conference last season, return 100 percent of their scoring and 94 percent of their point getters. Along with the return of 2009 GLVC Freshman of the Year, Shelby Spinelli, UIndy welcomes back leading goal scorer Kaitlyn Braunig (3 goals, 1 assist, 7 points, 11 SOG) and top point scorer Lauren Soza (2 games, 4 assists, 8 points, 8 SOG)

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ODU men’s soccer team opens vs Indianapolis tonight

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Dominican’s men’s soccer team kicks off the 2011 campaign at 7 p.m. this Friday as they welcome the Indianapolis Greyhounds to Panther Field for both teams’ regular season openers.

About the Panthers:
ODU, the GLIAC regular season and tournament runner-up from a season ago, look to avoid the sophomore slump as the Panthers gear up for their second year at the Division II level. Fourth-year head coach and GLIAC Coach of the Year Willy Merrick ran his career record with to 30-18-7 after guiding the Panthers to a 13-5-2 overall record, including 9-2-1 mark in conference play and an impressive 8-2-1 road record, highlighted by a 2-1 overtime victory at No. 4 Charleston (W. Va.)

Offensively, ODU returns four of their top five point getters from last year, including senior forward Felix Darko, a 2010 First Team All-GLIAC and NSCAA/Performance Subaru All-Midwest Region honoree. Darko paced the Panthers in goals (8), assists (6), points (22), shots on goal (24) and game-winning goals (4), finishing tied for third in the conference in both goals and points. Other key returners include junior midfielders Justin Wheeler (3 goals, 3 assists, 45 shots, 22 SOG) and Andrew Edler (3 goals, 3 assists, 32 shots, 13 SOG), as well as sophomore defender/midfielder Duncan Campbell (4 goals, 2 assists, .556 SOG%, 2 GW).

Overall, the Panthers return six starters and 14 letterwinners from 2010 and welcome in nine newcomers, including eight freshmen and transfer Colby Catlett, a midfielder/forward from Cincinnati.

About the Greyhounds:
UIndy returns nine starters and 17 letterwinners from last year’s squad that went 10-8-0 overall, 8-6-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and advanced to its first ever GLVC Championship, before falling to No. 5 and eventual national champion, Northern Kentucky. The Greyhounds return 92 percent of their scoring, including top goal scorers Max Marsh (7 goals, 1 assist, 15 points, 17 SOG), an All-Midwest Region First Teamer, and Bobby Adkins (5 goals, 7 assists, 17 points, 25 SOG).

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Strong Offensive Attack, Walcott Tallies Lead Capital to Season-Opening Win

COLUMBUS – The Capital University women’s soccer team began its 2011 season on a high note Thursday with a forceful 4-0 victory over Ohio Wesleyan in a non-conference affair at Bernlohr Stadium.

The Crusaders, who outshot the Battling Bishops (0-1) by a 16-2 margin, never trailed in the game and gave first-year head coach Chris Kouns his first win in his first contest at the helm at Capital.

“This program is going to pride itself on its relentless nature,” Kouns said. “At halftime, I told the team we had to decide what type of team we would be and that a good team would come out and put the dagger in. We have so many players who are willing to attack.”

Freshman Briana Walcutt (Powell, Ohio) scored a pair of goals in her collegiate debut, both in the second half to help Capital (1-0) run away from Ohio Wesleyan.

“It feels pretty good,” Walcutt said of striking twice in her first-ever game. “Our formation works well for our team. I thought we did a really good job of knowing where we were on the field. Everyone did their jobs.”

Senior Natalie Fiorelli (Pickerington, Ohio), the Crusaders’ top returning scorer, stole a ball deep in the offensive third and struck a ball just inside the post to open Capital scoring in the 10th minute.

“Natalie’s first goal was terrific,” Kouns said. “She used her outside foot and went to the far post, showing a lot of composure. That’s just an extension of her experience of playing over the summer.”

According to Fiorelli, Kouns’ system of continuously challenging the players fed into the team’s relentless attack.

“’Coach’ said it’s all about getting turnovers and attacking quickly,” Fiorelli said. “We work hard to get numbers and work in transition. We had a bunch of people in the box, which played to our advantage.”

Junior Breanne Daly (Cincinnati, Ohio) capped first-half scoring in the 41st minute, picking up a rebound off a fantastic attack by junior Katherine Connell (Drexel Hill, Pa.). Connell took a shot from just inside the box, recovered her own rebound and got another shot off, which Daly followed into the goal.

Players and coaches also credited senior Jaime Meiser (Avon, Ohio) and the rest of the back line for helping goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan (Cincinnati, Ohio) post a shutout with three saves.

“It was a great first step in our journey,” Kouns said. “I told our players we don’t accept wins, we enjoy them … it’s only part of the destination. Each game is one more step in the journey.”

Capital returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 3, at Denison for its first road match of the season. Game time is slated for 1 p.m. in Granville, Ohio.

“Denison is a good, physical team,” Fiorelli said. “We really only get one day off (between games), but I think we have enough depth on this team. Our entire bench can compete at this level.”

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ODU Opens 2011 With Non-Conference Matchup Against Saint Joseph’s

COLUMBUS, Ohio — With a slew of returners on both sides of the football, a talented recruiting class and a year of experience of play in the GLIAC and at the Division II level, Ohio Dominican’s football team looks forward to enjoying a successful second year in the conference.

The Panthers will kick off the 2011 season with a non-league game against Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) College at noon Saturday at Panther Field.

Forty-nine letterwinners and 18 starters return from 2010, with depth and experience across the board. All 11 starters are back on offense, including seniors in quarterback Jeremy Fudge (522 yards rushing) and running back Mike Noffsinger (school-record 794 yards rushing). Noffsinger is just 96 yards away from the career rushing record, and he has plenty of experience up front for him as all five offensive linemen, including All-GLIAC honoree Andrew Carpenter, return. Also back are senior wideouts Brandon Robinson and Tyler Purcell, who combined for 68 receptions in 2010. Robinson earned All-GLIAC distinctions in 2010.

Defensively, seven starters return, including linemen Vince German, Joe Richter and Eli Kovach (16.0 combined tackles for loss), linebackers Kevin Guthrie (28 tackles) and Mark Markakis (65 tackles), corner Eisen Hardy (67 tackles) and safety Jeff White (65 tackles). White has four career interceptions and six forced fumbles.

On special teams, Chris Vortkamp – the school record-holder for most career field goals (18), is back to handle both the placekicking and punting duties. He hit 11-of-16 field goals in 2010 and placed 11 of his 14 punts inside the opponent’s 20.

THE SERIES
Ohio Dominican leads the all-time series 1-0. The teams matched up at Panther Field on Oct. 10, 2009, and the Panthers overcame a 7-3 deficit in the second quarter to come away with a 45-14 win. ODU racked up 601 yards of offense, as Billy Griffin threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns, Austin Wallace ran for 81 yards and a touchdown, and Jeff White had six tackles and an interception.

Seniors Jeremy Fudge and Brandon Robinson and junior Eli Kovach were selected this week as the team captains for the 2011 season. A fourth gameday captain will be selected based on work ethic during the week leading up to the game.

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Central Ohio Welcomes the support of State Farm Insurance / Pat Grove Agency

Central Ohio Youth Sports would like to  thank State Farm Insurance, Pat Grove Agency for their support.

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2011 Capital Football Season Preview: Stanford, Crusaders Look to Build Consistency With Toughness, Togetherness

Capital University Football File Photo

Each time the 2010 Capital University football team fell, it found a way to bounce back with one play or one game.
 
Unfortunately for the Crusaders, the ups equaled the downs in coach Henry Stanford’s first season at the helm.
 
Capital overcame a rash of injuries and youthful inexperience to put together a 5-5 record, including a 5-4 mark in Ohio Athletic Conference play, last season. The Crusaders won their last two games to get back to .500 and gain momentum heading into the long offseason.
 
Stanford, who took over as head coach after serving as an assistant for two seasons, said last year’s team adjusted well to a new coaching staff and changing roles within the program. With the loss of seven all-conference selections, a number of new faces hope to emerge and keep the Capital football tradition moving forward.
 
“I was proud of how much the young men fought,” Stanford said. “It was an up-and-down season, but with every tough loss, we seemed to answer the bell soon after. We lost some great leaders due to injury, but we found a lot of freshmen and sophomores to answer the call. Now they have game experience heading into this season.”
 
Seniors Garrett Bennington (Cambridge, Ohio), Kory Hartinger (Circleville, Ohio), Troy Spiker (Rootstown, Ohio), juniors Tyler Dugan (Columbus, Ohio) and Matt DeMore (Twinsburg, Ohio) will serve as team captains during the 2011 campaign.
 
“We’ve had great leadership so far, from both seniors and underclassmen,” Stanford said. “Our sophomores and juniors want to start their legacy at Capital, so they’re getting extra reps and doing other little things without questions asked.”
 
The Crusaders open the season at two-time defending North Coast Athletic Conference champion Wittenberg this Saturday, Sept. 3, for their lone non-conference contest in 2011.
 
Following a bye week, Capital begins its OAC slate at home against Wilmington on Sept. 17. The Crusaders travel to Westerville on Oct. 15 to take on local rival Otterbein, followed by a home game against perennial national powerhouse and 2010 NCAA Division III runner-up Mount Union.
 
Although the team will only be able to “defend Bernlohr” – one of the team’s goals – just four times this season, Stanford is confident in his team’s ability to work hard on and off the field.
 
“We strive to play faster and more physical than our opponent every week,” Stanford said. “I always tell the team we play our best together when we play for each other.”
 
See below for a position-by-position breakdown of the 2011 Capital football team.
 
OFFENSE
 
The Crusaders play a spread attack, which features four wide receivers and a one tailback. According to offensive coordinator Robert White, Capital will make a concerted effort this season to balance its traditionally strong passing attack with the run.
 
“We take what the defense gives us and want to create mismatches,” White said. “Our goal is to put our best players in position to make plays, whether it’s horizontal or vertical (up the field).”
 
Quarterback
 
Sophomore Ryan Kremchek (Sylvania, Ohio) inherits the starting quarterback position from Hartinger, who moves back to wide receiver. Kremchek, who has yet to see game action, is an athletic, talented player. White will try to take advantage of Kremchek’s athleticism by moving him out of the pocket and allowing him to run. Senior Chase Carris (Akron, Ohio) is listed as his backup.
 
Tailback
 
Capital coaches feel very good about three players at the tailback position. Senior Josh Anderson (Columbus, Ohio), a transfer from Central State, is listed as the starter, while Bennington is the team’s top returning rusher with 386 yards and a touchdown in 2010.
 
Junior Casey Meridieth (Toledo, Ohio) will serve as a power option in the backfield.
 
Wide Receiver
 
The Crusaders are deep and talented at the wide receiver position. Fifth-year senior Matt White (Mason, Ohio) and junior Mike Epstein (Toledo, Ohio) return as starters, while Hartinger returns to his original position. White is a two-time All-OAC selection who received a redshirt season after missing seven games a year ago. He has 1,595 yards on 119 receptions in his career. Hartinger has exceeded expectations in camp, while Epstein makes up for his lack of size (5-foot-7, 160 pounds) with hard work and reliability.
 
Senior Ryan Williams (Bowie, Md.), a transfer from Ohio Dominican, will stretch the field vertically with top-notch speed as the fourth starter.
 
Offensive Line
 
With DeMore (C), senior Jon Figel (LT; Mingo Junction, Ohio) and sophomore David Howson (RT; Hudson, Ohio) as returning starters, White is confident that new guards Troy Thompson (Jr.; Pickerington, Ohio) and Anthony Colucci (So.; Ashtabula, Ohio) will get better with time.
 
Sophomore Cody Mackey (Columbus, Ohio) and freshman Anthony Harris (Cincinnati, Ohio) continue to fight for playing time at guard and could emerge as the season evolves.
 
DEFENSE
 
Capital plays a 4-3 base defense, but according to defensive coordinator Chad Creamer, it more closely resembles a 4-2-5 setup due to personnel.
 
“We don’t have much size, but we have a lot of speed,” Creamer said. “We’re in a passing league, so our guys up well with the spread offenses and speedy quarterbacks in the conference. We’re not going out to find traditional linebackers … we need speedy guys.”
 
Defensive Line
 
According to Stanford, the defensive line is the deepest, most experienced position on the team. The 10-man rotation includes eight returning players, and is led by senior Dan Frankart, a 2010 All-OAC selection who will move from tackle to end this season. The Bloomville, Ohio, native led the team with six sacks for a loss of 27 yards last season.
 
Frankart will be joined on the line by a pair of returning starters in junior defensive end Aaron Knisley (Bexley, Ohio) and junior Seth Nelson (Columbus, Ohio). Knisley, who tied for the league lead with three fumbles forced, will play opposite Frankart at the other end. Nelson, a transfer from Ashland, is a traditional nose tackle who moves well.
 
Senior Zac Randall (Greenville, Ohio) and junior Jay Bondzeleske (Columbus, Ohio) will split time at tackle. Senior Aaron Rittgers (Pickerington, Ohio), juniors Jason Hutchins (Springboro, Ohio) and Nate Nasrallah (Norton, Ohio) also project to see significant playing time.
 
Linebackers
 
Spiker will be flanked by Dugan and senior John Honsberger (Macedonia, Ohio). Spiker moves to the middle after leading the team with 10 tackles for loss at the SAM position a year ago, while Dugan is one of the faster players at Capital and will be counted on to be a leader for the entire defense. The coaching staff is hopeful that Honsberger, a Mount Union transfer in his third season with the Crusaders, can stay healthy after having shoulder surgery prior to the preseason.
 
Senior Brennan Fraley (Pickerington, Ohio) and sophomore Alex Nyzda (Cleveland, Ohio) will also figure prominently in the rotation. Fraley has experience as a starter last year, while Nyzda is a converted wide receiver. Sophomore Kyle Shaeffer (Pickerington, Ohio) will serve as Spiker’s back-up.
 
Defensive Backfield
 
Junior Ryan Neuberger (Milan, Ohio) and sophomore Antoine Roberts (Lithonia, Ga.) return to the defensive backfield as starters. Neuberger finished second on the team with 47 tackles at free safety last season, while Roberts specializes in man coverage and is one of the team’s most talented players. Junior Ted Cox (Marysville, Ohio) and sophomore Andre Cousin (Fostoria, Ohio) will also see significant playing time at the corners.
 
Senior Kory Conley (Wellington, Ohio) will begin the season as the starter at free safety. The coaching staff likes the fifth-year senior’s size (6-4, 205) and leadership. Sophomore Domenic Hebebrand (Hinckley, Ohio) will see his first varsity action at strong safety. Senior Merrit Zollars (Fredericktown, Ohio) is a converted quarterback and will see time as a third safety.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
Senior Nick VanMeter (Marion, Ohio) returns as the team’s kicker and punter. VanMeter made 15-of-18 extra points and 9-of-14 field goals while averaging 33.6 yards per punt in 2010.
 
Rittgers will serve as the team’s long snapper, while a slew of players will share punt- and kick-return duties.

 

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Capital Men’s Soccer Season Preview: Crusaders Add Depth, Look to Stay Healthy in 2011

Capital University head men’s soccer coach Josh Racette’s definition of a rebuilding year falls under the category of a successful season for most coaches at the collegiate level.
 
While the second-year coach was chiefly referring to the graduation of offensive stalwart Steve McCarthy (2006-09) and a handful of other seniors, the 2010 campaign by the numbers was hardly a developmental season as the Crusaders finished third in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 6-3 mark in league play. Capital, which finished 13-6 overall, reached the first round of the OAC Tournament.
 
“We were very young last year, but we grew every game,” said Racette, who also coached the Capital women’s soccer team a year ago.  “It was a team that was injury-riddled and young. We played well when we were all there, but we lacked depth.”
 
What Capital had in youth in 2010, it has in experience in 2011. Despite the loss of a handful of offensive contributors, the Crusaders return a strong core of last year’s team, spearheaded by captains Dan McCarthy (Centerville, Ohio), Bob Weisgarber (Columbus, Ohio) and Tyler Fountain (Upper Arlington, Ohio).
 
Racette said a number of leaders have emerged both on and off the field during preseason training to help a strong influx of talented transfers and freshmen.
 
“We are truly grasping what it means to be a team,” Racette said. “In our meetings, our guys don’t talk about statistics … they are talking about our quality of communication. They’ve been positive and motivating, and are cooperating to try and help each other. I can’t say we had that last year.”
 
The journey for the 2011 team won’t be easy as several regionally- and nationally-competitive opponents lay ahead. Capital opens its season on Sept. 2 at Kenyon, which is ranked No. 25 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Preseason Poll. The Crusaders travel to No. 5 Ohio Wesleyan on Sept. 17.
 
Capital starts its conference slate at home on Oct. 1 against Heidelberg, beginning a grueling stretch of five games in 10 days. One week after the OAC opener, the team plays at defending league champion Ohio Northern.
 
Despite the tough schedule, Capital players and coaches have set rigorous statistical on- and off-field objectives for the year, including holding opponents under 0.86 goals per game and maintaining a team grade point average above 3.5.
 
“We started broad with our team goals, then narrowed them down,” Racette said. “They are lofty but attainable. Overall, we want to win the possession battle and continue to work on our team chemistry.”
 
See below for a positional breakdown of the 2011 Capital men’s soccer team.
 
Forward/Midfield
 
McCarthy, a three-time All-OAC and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region selection, anchors this unit as the center midfielder. The senior captain may also see time as a forward or striker in 2011 after scoring 10 points (four goals, two assists) a year ago.
 
“Dan is an all-region and all-academic student-athlete,” Racette said. “His abilities are very important to the team, and he is consistently moving the team forward.”
 
Several players look to increase offensive productivity as Capital lost four of its top six point scorers from a year ago. Racette is confident he has the group in place to score goals.
 
Senior Matt Guthrie (Worthington, Ohio) is the team’s top returning scorer, tying for third on the team with four goals to go along with a pair of assists in 2010. Sophomore Tim McCarthy (Dayton, Ohio) also posted four goals last season.
 
Racette hopes for significant contributions from several other players, including junior Luke Froehlich (Columbus, Ohio), an Elmhurst transfer, and sophomore Tim Rieser (Centerville, Ohio), who registered three goals and two assists in 2010.
 
Others expected to play a key role in the midfield include juniors Kevin Clark (Gahanna, Ohio), Al Argyris (Centerville, Ohio), Alex Johnson (Kent, Ohio) sophomores Joe Alecusan (Hilliard, Ohio), Casey Blankenship (Galloway, Ohio), R.G. Florey (Westerville, Ohio) and freshman Derek Cox (Hilliard, Ohio).
 
Defense/Goalkeeper
 
Weisgarber returns as the starting goalkeeper for the Crusaders. The sophomore recorded five shutouts and posted a 1.27 goals against average last season, earning captainship for the 2011 season by vote of his teammates.
 
“As a goalkeeper, Bob is a natural leader on the field,” Racette said. “He makes big saves and is a positive communicator, and is also a 4.0 student.”
 
Fountain, a junior who played in 12 games a year ago, will anchor the central defense in front of Weisgarber.
 
“As a center back, Tyler’s willingness to do everything that is asked of him is inspirational,” Racette said.
 
Other players projected to be in the defensive rotation include sophomores Nick Eley (Pickerington, Ohio), Zach Inman (Groveport, Ohio), freshmen Tony Macioce (Pickerington, Ohio), Walter Ford III (Columbus, Ohio) and Aaron Ingle (Hilliard, Ohio).
 

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Capital Crusaders Tabbed Sixth in OAC Preseason Polls

The Capital University football team was selected to finish sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference preseason media and coaches polls, the league announced last week at the OAC Football Media Preview held recently at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

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Capital Fall Sports Teams Gather at Annual Dinner

  The Capital University athletic department kicked off the 2011-12 season with its annual pasta dinner for fall sports teams on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Capital Center field house.

All six of the Crusaders’ fall teams – football, volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s cross country and women’s cross country – as well as a group of athletic training students were served lasagna, bread and salad catered by Anthony’s Pizzeria of Bexley.

In all, nearly 250 Capital students, staff and faculty gathered for a night that also featured a number of entertaining “Minute to Win It” competitions between teams and staff members.

The Crusader volleyball and women’s soccer teams were recognized for having the highest spring semester (women’s soccer) and cumulative (volleyball) grade point averages during the 2010-11 academic year.

The fall season begins next Thursday, Sept. 1, when the women’s soccer team hosts Ohio Wesleyan at 4 p.m. at Bernlohr Stadium.

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ODU Panthers Battle to Scoreless Draw Against Crusaders

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a fiercely fought, physical exhibition game that featured three yellow cards, Ohio Dominican’s men’s soccer team battled to a 0-0 draw against visiting Capital on Saturday evening at Panther Field.

ODU struggled early on to match the Crusaders’ speed, but midway through the first half, found their legs and began to exert their style of play. Despite controlling much of the possession and tempo from that point on, as evident by a 19-9 advantage on shots and 10-2 advantage on corner kicks, the Panthers could just not find the back of the net.

ODU just missed on a scoring opportunity midway through the second half as Andrew Edler (Jr./Hilliard, OH ) lifted a shot over a charging keeper from about 28 yards out, but a Crusader defender was able to deflect the ball away just a couple yards in front of the goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Dean Dziewit (Waterford, MI) turned aside four shots to earn his second shutout in preseason play.

With the exhibition slate finished, the Panthers open up the regular season a week from tonight on Friday Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. as Indianapolis (Ind.) visits for both teams season openers.

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