After riding a three-match winning streak into its conference slate, Indiana men’s soccer’s momentum has seemingly vanished. The Hoosiers fell to Ohio State 2-1 on the road on Sept. 18 then settled for a 1-1 draw in an emotional contest with Michigan State at home Friday.
While navigating a few key injuries to redshirt senior defender Daniel Munie and redshirt senior goalkeeper Bryant Pratt, head coach Todd Yeagley has maintained an optimistic outlook regarding the depth of the squad. Nonetheless, with a few challenging matchups on the horizon, picking up points will quickly become more difficult.
[Related: No. 16 Indiana men’s soccer settles for 1-1 draw against Michigan State in Big Ten home opener]
The Hoosiers will have a prime opportunity to regain form when they host a struggling Northwestern side at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington.
Scouting the Wildcats
Northwestern currently sits in last place in the Big Ten with an overall record of 1-5-2. They have been outscored 7-3 in conference play with losses to Rutgers and Michigan. After stumbling through a less than daunting non-conference schedule, the Wildcats are far from the contenders that the Hoosiers battled for the better part of this month.
Head coach Russell Payne, who was signed prior to the 2021 season, has coaching experience with the United States National Team and served as an assistant coach at Maryland and Army West Point. In his first year at the helm, the Wildcats stunned the second-seeded Terrapins in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
“They’re going to come in really hungry and desperate for points,” Yeagley said in a Monday press conference. “This is a dangerous team with some really good individuals.”
As the Hoosiers have come to know over the years, no result in the Big Ten is guaranteed. Returning top goal scorers in junior forward Justin Weiss and senior midfielder Vicente Castro, Northwestern is a veteran team that has displayed a capability of upsetting superior opponents.
Behind the Hoosiers’ recent struggles
On Friday against Michigan State, the Hoosiers were clicking in the first half. The backline anchored by junior defender Joey Maher was stout in the limited opportunities the Spartans created, and the midfield maintained possession and sparked attacks for the offense.
However, the Spartans equalized late in the half due to miscommunication on the Hoosiers’ backline and spoiled the hosts’ night. While the team’s box defending — something Yeagley stressed early in the season— has improved, he said the team’s lack of communication at times requires correcting.
“We’re trying to teach it in real moments and away from the field,” Yeagley said. “The earlier communication could have eliminated a couple really big goals this year. It’s not a lot to ask those moments to be a little better.”
After the match, Yeagley mentioned the Spartans’ ability to force the Hoosier attackers inside. With speedy players on the wings like sophomore Sam Sarver and seniors Mauloune Goumballe and Herbert Endeley, playing long through balls wide is an aspect of Indiana’s attacking identity.
To take down Northwestern, the Hoosiers will have to find space out wide and allow skilled on-ball players like sophomore forward Tommy Mihalic and redshirt senior forward Ryan Wittenbrink to work into the heart of the Wildcats’ backline.
Injury Statuses
After going down with an aggravated hip flexor against Michigan State, Yeagley said Goumballe will be ready against the Wildcats, albeit likely in a rotational capacity. He also offered a positive note regarding the status of Munie.
Yeagley said there is a chance the centerback, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, will be available against the Wildcats but will only play if needed. The backline has performed well in his absence, receiving plentiful contributions from stalwarts Maher, junior Brett Bebej and senior Nyk Sessock.
Tuesday’s contest will honor active and retired service members for Military Appreciation Night. The match will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
