Coach expects more from offense

Coach Jerry Yeagley's soccer team is riding a nine-game winning streak. It recently clinched the regular-season Big Ten title and claimed a No. 1 spot in a national poll -- but he still expects more from his Hoosiers. \nIU's offense has been inconsistent throughout the season and injuries have hampered the improving defense. While allowing just three goals in its last three wins, the Hoosiers (12-3, 5-0 in Big Ten play) have had trouble scoring goals. But with better ball control and service from outside midfielders, the offense can improve, Yeagley said.\n"We're just not composed and precise on that final touch in the box," Yeagley said. "We'll keep working on it. It's been a big problem. Offensively, (former Hoosier) Aleksey (Korol) was such a surgical finisher last year. He finished most of his opportunities. We've got some young players, anxious to get the shot off and, at times, rush the ball to beat the keeper."\nThrough Sunday, the team's offense averaged 15 shots per game, but scored just two goals per game. In particular, sophomore midfielder Pat Noonan hasn't scored as many goals as Yeagley said he thinks he could have. Noonan has taken his share of shots, including six of IU's 11 shots against Kentucky Wednesday night.\n"Coach is right," Noonan said. "I do need to convert a lot more. It could have been four or five (goals against Northwestern). Against better teams, I'll need to finish those and the rest of the team is going to have to need to finish those opportunities. We've got to work harder and stay composed and finish those in big games."\nAlthough youth has hurt the offense, the initial inexperience of the defense brought the Hoosiers together. The defense began the season with just one experienced marking back in sophomore John Swann, who started just seven games last season. Junior Josh Rife had never played the sweeper position before this season, but has played well since the Hoosiers' 4-1 loss to Creighton Sept. 15.\nWhile Rife isn't a vocal leader, he has continued to gain confidence, Yeagley said.\n"I think part of our strength is that we were all kind of new here," Rife said. "We're all somewhat inexperienced. So we just kind of built each other up, and we had to. It's just going to happen that we're going to make mistakes, but the fact that we just encourage each other, it's just formed a good bond."\nThe defense has adjusted to its youth, but injuries have limited the lineup. Swann suffered a high ankle sprain last week and didn't play the full 90 minutes against Northwestern Sunday, but started against Kentucky Wednesday. Junior goalkeeper Colin Rogers, who replaces injured senior T.J. Hannig, started his first collegiate game against Penn State and had a 0.83 goals-against average through Sunday. Hannig, who is nursing a knee injury, is expected to return to the lineup for the Cal-Berkeley Classic Nov. 4-5.