Louisville Game Notes

By Micah McVicker | Micah.McVicker

Posted at 2:03 am on October 11, 2012 | | | Comments (2)

LOUISVILLE–Some noteworthy information that did not make my game story …

What It Means

IU Coach Todd Yeagley said the Hoosiers were not satisfied by the result of this “chippy, physical” game.

“Getting a draw on the road against a good quality team bodes well for this group,” he said. “But this group wanted more, which I like. They’re not satisfied with a tie. However, they know that, in the end, it’s not going to hurt this group.”

All four goals the Hoosiers surrendered on the road came in non-conference play. Senior goalkeeper Luis Soffner has three clean sheets in as many conference matches.

Playing with a Lead

Once the Hoosiers take the lead in a match, they’re 8-0-1. Opponents have scored 10 goals this season against the Hoosiers. Prior to their Oct. 3 match at Kentucky, none of those were scored after IU captured the lead. That night in Lexington, the Wildcats notched one in the 86th minute. Both goals the Cardinals scored came after IU took the lead. It was the first time an opponent had equalized against the Hoosiers. It didn’t happen until the 13th game. That’s impressive.

11 vs. 10

In the 93rd minute, referee Chico Grageda showed Louisville midfielder Ryan Smith his second yellow card — and a subsequent red.

Junior midfielder Nikita Kotlov explained why the Hoosiers could not take advantage.

“It (the way UL adjusted their defense) definitely makes it a lot tougher,” he said. “We have to rely more on swinging it outside, playing it into the box and having the fight in there to get a goal. That’s a lot tougher than playing through the middle which, for me, is what I like to do best.”

Yeagley praised his team’s ball movement and possession against the Cardinals.

“We lacked at times a little bit of extra urgency in the final third,” he said. If the Hoosiers would’ve been a little bit more dangerous on their crosses and shots from distance, “we would’ve created a few more chances. All in all, to be down 2-1 after leading is an emotional turn against a good team. I liked the way our guys fought back. I felt like that third was coming. Just ran out of time.”

Kotlov’s Goal

Yeagley said Kotlov scoring his first goal will prove beneficial.

“Any time you get your first, it kind of reduces pressure,” Yeagley said. “I think Nikita is still finding his form, and continued to play better besides score goals. I’m excited to see what he does in this last five, six games of the year.”

Etc.

The two goals the Hoosiers surrendered matched a season-high (Oregon State) and marked the most surrendered in a true road game this season. … Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ 2-2 draw against Indiana was their first of the season. … In a different sense of the word “dangerous,” in the 25th minute, sophomore defender Patrick Doody attempted a cross from the left side. It caught Louisville’s Luis Ramirez in the face, and he was down for a bit. It’s unclear if he returned. On a cold night, though, those hurt more. … The Hoosiers were flagged for offsides once against the Cardinals. They were not guilty of the infraction Saturday night against Wisconsin. … The Hoosiers have their first weekend of the season without a match. Butler is the next opponent, Oct. 16 at 7:30 at Armstrong Stadium.

I cover IU baseball and men's soccer. Send me feedback, via tweet (twitter.com/MicahMcVicker), or email (mmmcvick@indiana.edu). I'll do everything I can to answer your inquiry.

Sections: Men's Soccer | | | Comments (2)