The semi-final game on the Big Ten tournament between No. 7 IU and Ohio State had a similar feel to the last time the teams played in October.
However, instead of an Ohio State penalty kick being given in the final minutes, one was awarded to the Hoosiers after a handball in the box.
Sophomore midfielder Tanner Thompson converted the kick, knocking it into the lower left corner, giving IU, the No. 6 seed, the 2-1 win over the No. 2 seeded Buckeyes on Friday.
“Often this time of year, restarts are the difference,” IU Coach Todd Yeagley said. “Fantastic strike by Patrick Doody. And Tanner’s composure and confidence when taking the penalty.”
Senior defender Patrick Doody scored IU’s first goal on a free kick in the first half. It was his fourth goal of the season.
“Anytime you execute something you have been working on in training seems to feel a bit more special,” Doody said. “I was just happy to make the most of the opportunity and help put our team in a good position to win the game.”
The Buckeyes (9-7-4) scored their lone goal midway through the second half as freshman forward Marcus McCray scored on a breakaway.
“(Friday) was a tough game,” Yeagley said. “I thought Ohio State played very well, and I tip my hat to their performance.”
It was a back and forth game that also saw star junior midfielder Femi Holinger-Janzen knocked out of the game with a concussion in the first half. He went into the locker room for tests and the training staff decided it was best to hold him out for the rest of the game. He is considered day-to-day.
“I don’t think we played real well,” Yeagley said. “The positive is championship teams have to find ways to win games when they’re off a bit.”
Thompson’s goal was his sixth of the season, and second on a penalty kick. He is 2-for-3 on penalty kicks this year.
IU (12-3-5) will now face the No. 1 seed Maryland on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in Maryland.
The Hoosiers lost to the Terrapins 2-1 earlier this season in Bloomington.
“I am looking forward to Sunday,” Doody said. “Anytime you get a chance to play for a championship it is a special moment. It did not matter whether it was Maryland or Michigan State considering we lost to both opponents. It’ll be a tough game but we are all ready for a fun game and hope to bring a title back to Bloomington.”
