Men's soccer looks to send seniors out with win Friday night at Senior Night

The 2013 IU men’s soccer season brought with it dreams of glory.

The Hoosiers (5-10-1, 1-3 conference) entered the season as the nation’s No. 1 team, attempting to corral momentum from last season’s national championship win.

But a historically disappointing season has put a second consecutive title run — or even an NCAA Tournament berth — in doubt.

Since the program’s inception in 1973, no IU team has failed to capture one of the NCAA Tournament’s 48 berths.

For a team that has not received a vote in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll since Sept. 17 and currently sits at No. 75 in the National RPI, a Big Ten Tournament championship and the automatic tournament berth that comes with it might be the Hoosiers’ last remaining hope of continuing that streak.

Though the Hoosiers’ season has not gone as planned, the team’s seniors remain determined to end their careers on a positive note.

IU will begin its final push for 2013 success Friday against Michigan State in a match that will see the senior class take the field for a regular season game at Bill Armstrong Stadium for the final.

Senior midfielder A.J. Corrado said the Hoosiers will look for a win as in any other game, but the senior night festivities will add something special to the night.

“Not only is it a big night for the seniors, it’s a pretty crazy thought to know this could be my last game at home,” Corrado said. “But it’s a huge night for the team just in general. We have to go out and get a win.”

Corrado, midfielders Harrison Petts, Nikita Kotlov and Jacob Bushue, and defender Matt McKain, compose a five-man senior class that has tallied 44 wins leading up to Friday’s game in addition to the 2012 NCAA College Cup title.

IU Coach Todd Yeagley said the quintet of seniors has created a lasting legacy for the program.

“I think, ultimately, if you win a championship, you put the ultimate mark on things,” Yeagley said. “Outside of that, they’ve done a really nice job with the culture of the team when it comes to habits on and off the field.

“Academically they’ve done a real nice job, and they’ve helped recruit a lot of these new guys. A lot of positives. The future looks bright largely because of their
efforts.”

A senior night victory will not come easily against a Michigan State squad that has given the Hoosiers trouble in recent seasons.
 
Last season the Spartans took each of two matchups, defeating IU 3-1 in the regular season before taking a 2-1 victory in the Big Ten Tournament en route to the tournament championship.

“The guys know they kind of got beat up a little bit (last season),” Yeagley said. “We didn’t necessarily get outplayed, but we got outfought, yet had moments where we played some good soccer. The guys are ready, and they’re ready to prove
themselves.”

The No. 15 Spartans (8-3-3, 1-2-1 conference) are led by a pair of junior forwards in Tim Kreutz and Adam Montague, who have combined to score 11 goals and assist on eight more this season.

Yeagley said the duo will play a large factor in the physical, direct style Michigan State will likely use Friday.

“I expect them to be very physical and pretty direct, which is why we’ve been working a lot to combat that,” Yeagley said. “They have a couple guys who can really play, so it’s going to be a battle.

“The key for us is can we match them there and play the great soccer that we’re capable of playing? We don’t give up the way we want to play.”

The fourth-year coach said the seniors’ final home game will serve as a little extra motivation for his team.

“We want to send them out on a good note,” Yeagley said. “I think every player remembers their last regular season home game. We want them to leave on a great note from that standpoint.

“We certainly want them to finish off their careers on a good note.”

Follow reporter Alden Woods on Twitter @acw9293.