“A modern dynasty in men’s soccer” is how IU was described when the Hoosiers heard their name called Monday afternoon while gathered at Yogi’s Grill and Bar.
For the 30th straight season, the IU men’s soccer program finds itself in the NCAA Tournament field of 48. The Hoosiers were given the No. 7 overall seed and will face either the Akron Zips or the Villanova Wildcats in the second round Sunday.
As one of the top 16 overall seeds, the Hoosiers avoid playing in the first round and are afforded the opportunity to play a home game in the second round.
“You love to be seeded,” IU Coach Todd Yeagley said. “It gets you the guarantee of a home game, and you get a little more rest coming off of the tournament. We’re really pleased. The seven is something we’re really happy with. I think, in the end, our one loss on the year and the fact that a 4-1-2 record against top-25 RPI teams was the convincing component amongst the committee.”
Akron and Villanova will face off in a first round matchup in order to decide who will move on to face the Hoosiers. Charlotte is the other seeded team in IU’s region of the bracket as the No. 10 overall seed. Should the Hoosiers advance past the second round, they will host a third-round match.
Playing Akron could be an interesting proposition for IU senior midfielder Phil Fives. He spent his first two collegiate seasons playing for the Zips.
“I’m super excited,” Fives said on the chance to play his former team. “They’re a great program, a lot of good talent there. We were actually talking before the selection that it might end up like this. This is a great opportunity to show the nation what we got and step up.”
IU was one of three Big Ten teams to make the tournament. Big Ten regular season and tournament champions Maryland were awarded the top overall seed while Michigan State also heard its name called. Wisconsin, who played Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament championship, was maybe the biggest snub.
Even Yeagley said he was surprised not to see the Badgers’ name come across the screen.
“I thought the eyeball test and the quality they had on their team, I think was one that must have been really tight,” Yeagley said. “The part that may have ultimately hurt them was their lack of quality wins against teams in the top 100.”
Nonetheless, the Hoosiers got what they wanted. They get a home game, possibly two, and come in fairly healthy. IU senior midfielder Tanner Thompson sprained his ankle in the Big Ten quarterfinal match against Northwestern but showed no signs of injury in the semifinal and should be good to go for the match Sunday.
As for black-and-blue-faced IU sophomore midfielder Trevor Swartz, Yeagley calls him day-to-day. Swartz was injured in the match against Wisconsin Friday and missed the remainder of the game after getting stitched up post-shot to the face. Not playing in the first round gives this IU team a chance to rest up before Sunday, as its championship hopes continue.
“He’s still being evaluated, but we’re going to remain optimistic,” Yeagley said of Swartz. “This extra rest, not playing Thursday, will also be great for Tanner. Come Sunday, Tanner will be 100 percent.”
