Defense provides anchor for team

Four hundred thirty two minutes and two and a half weeks -- that's how long it's been since the men's soccer team has surrendered a goal.\nThe last goal scored against the Hoosiers (7-3-4, 4-0-1 Big Ten) came on Oct. 5 at Michigan. IU has been shutting down opponents at a torrid pace. As a result, it has garnered four consecutive shutouts since the streak started-- and a total of six on the season -- which has come in the midst of a five-game winning streak. \nThe IU defense had a 0.77 goals against average in 2002, a mark that ranked 15th nationally. This season, it has been much of the same. The stifling IU defense and IU goalkeeper are allowing a mere 0.71 goals per game, a mark that ranks first in the conference.\n"I would characterize our team defense simply," IU coach Jerry Yeagley said. "Look at the Big Ten stats. We lead the Big Ten defensively. I've always said there are two aspects to defense -- individual and defense collectively. They combine to form a solid team defense. But our defense in conference games has been very good."\nThe Hoosiers have allowed two goals in their first five Big Ten matches this season. \nThe players said the experience of more than half a season is starting to pay off.\n"We're much more comfortable with each other now," freshman back Julian Dieterle said. "It's taken us a while. (Junior midfielder) Danny O'Rourke has been the unsung hero on our team. He's been strong for us. Also, we have (junior goalkeeper) Jay (Nolly) directing back there. We're a solid unit defensively."\nDieterle was tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Monday. He helped lead the Hoosiers to a pair of wins last week over IUPUI and Ohio State. Dieterle recorded a goal in the win over the Buckeyes. \n"Honestly, everybody's taken accountability," Dieterle said. "Each defensive player has improved his play since the beginning of the season."\nBesides Dieterle, freshman back Jed Zayner has been heavily involved on defense in only his first season in Bloomington. Zayner, who is a native of Orland Park, Ill., was named the Chicago Tribune Player of the Year last season. \n"(We're playing with) a lot of confidence," Zayner said. "Confidence in themselves and each other. I think we believe in each other on the field."\nMeanwhile, another part to the defensive unit is Nolly. He has a .778 save percentage and has posted 35 saves this year. But those 35 saves rank seventh in the conference, which seems to support the notion of the strength of the IU defense. In some cases, they're not even letting their opponents attempt more than four of five shots per contest. \nZayner described what it will take to continue this high level of defensive play.\n"It's going to take faith in themselves and faith in our team," he said. "Playing our hearts out."\nWhile solid team defense involves the defenders working with the keeper and vice versa, Yeagley said it's much more than that. \n"Defense is not just guys who play in the back of the field," said Yeagley, who coached IU to eight shutouts a year ago, including a stretch of three consecutive shutouts.\n-- Contact staff writer Zack Eldridge at zeldridg@indiana.edu.