Grabavoy still a Hoosier

After trying out over the weekend with Monoco, a member of the French First Division, IU men's soccer player Ned Grabavoy has announced that he will return to the Hoosiers for his junior year. \n"It was a good experience for me," Grabavoy said in a statement. "I'm focused on Indiana now, and I'm excited to get the season started." \nGrabavoy was playing for an amateur team in Chicago this summer when Monoco representatives contacted him and offered him a tryout. Grabavoy agreed to work out with the team but was able to keep all of his amateur options open by paying his own expenses. If Grabavoy had agreed to play for Monoco, he would have lost his amateur status and forgone his final two years of eligibility at IU. \nCoach Jerry Yeagley was happy that Grabavoy decided to stay with IU and likes what Grabavoy brings to his team. \n"It's the best news of the weekend," Yeagley said in a statement. "Ned is a personality player who brings excitement and flair to the game, both individually and collectively." \nIn his sophomore season, Grabavoy garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors and was second team All-American. \nWith the graduations of Pat Noonan and Ryan Mack, the Hoosiers are without their top two scorers from last season. Yeagley and the Hoosiers hope that Grabavoy can help replace some of that lost scoring punch. Grabavoy was third on the team in scoring last season with 20 points (six goals and eight assists) and is the Hoosiers' leading returning scorer. His 15 points in conference play led all Big Ten players last season. \n"He will be our go to player in the attack," Yeagley said. "Now our challenge will be to find the right combination to go with Ned and our attack." \nThe Hoosiers have already received preseason accolades. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has ranked IU No. 7 in the nation. The Hoosiers are the only Big Ten team in the top 15 of the NSCAA poll. The next highest ranked Big Ten team is No. 16 Penn State. \nThe season begins with the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic at Armstrong Stadium this Friday and Saturday. Alabama-Birmingham and No. 12 Notre Dame begin at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by IU facing No. 17 California at 7:30 p.m. Saturday has the Hoosiers taking on UAB at 5 p.m. and Notre Dame taking on California at 7:30 p.m. \n\n-- Contact staff writer Charlie Gillingham at cgilling@indiana.edu. .