Indiana’s men’s soccer program is historically known for its defense. During the 2024 season, the Hoosiers boasted a stellar defense, conceding only 22 goals in 19 games on their way to a 10th consecutive Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Last year, senior defender Jansen Miller and junior Quinton Elliot led the way for the Cream and Crimson’s defense. Miller was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection, while Elliot earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team.
Miller, who appeared in 50 games for the Hoosiers from 2022 to 2024, graduated and was drafted with the No. 8 pick in the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City. Elliot, on the other hand, was signed by the Columbus Crew, another MLS team, after spending only one season with Indiana.
With the departure of both Miller and Elliot, Indiana had some key holes to fill in its defense over the offseason.
Backed by Head Coach Todd Yeagley and his recruiting staff, the Hoosiers were able to not only bring back key members of last year’s defensive group but also bring new faces into the mix.
Sophomore Maher returns to the Cream and Crimson
As a freshman last year, Josh Maher started 20 matches for the Hoosiers. The Caseyville, Illinois, native made his collegiate debut on August 29, 2024, and assisted on a game-tying goal.
Maher was a key factor in Indiana’s co-Big Ten Championship run last season. He started all 20 games he appeared in, as well as assisting on three points. Maher was selected to the Big Ten All Freshman team – being the third Maher brother selected to that list at Indiana.
Maher looks to make his mark in his second season with Indiana this year, expected to feature primarily at center back.
Transfer from the University of Virginia fills important hole in Indiana’s roster
With the graduation of Miller and the decision to go pro by Elliot despite his senior eligibility remaining, Indiana needed a left center back. The new addition of Victor Akoum seems likely to fill that void.
"We needed a left center back. Victor fills that,” Yeagley said. “He had been a starter for the latter part of last year for a very good UVA team that made it to the Sweet 16.”
Akoum made his collegiate debut for the Cavaliers on August 22, 2024, against Rider University. He was elevated to the starting lineup against Stanford University on September 27, 2024 – starting 12 out of his 16 appearances on the year.
The 6’3 Canadian scored his first career goal in a win over Syracuse University on October 19, 2024, as UVA won 3-0. The Cavaliers picked up five wins in Akoum’s final eight starts of the year on their way to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Transfer from Penn fills another much-needed hole in the backline
Indiana also picked up graduate student Ben Do in the transfer portal.
Do, who played left-back for Penn last year, is considered a “versatile” player for the Hoosiers, who is presumably going to be included in their starting lineup.
“Ben is someone who we can plug in immediately on the left or right side of the field and be ready to play,” Yeagley said. “He played at a very high level at Penn.”
Do tallied 50 total matches played in his three-year career at Penn. After the 2022 season, Do was named the Philly Soccer 6 Rookie of the Year and was an All-Ivy League honorable mention from 2022 to 2024.
He will slot into an Indiana starting lineup that should take defensive pressure off him.
Minzey and Gaydosh make strides in the offseason
Breckin Minzey, a redshirt junior, and Drew Gaydosh, a redshirt freshman, have both made significant progress in the offseason.
Minzey, who redshirted his freshman year in 2022 due to injury, scored one goal in 16 matches last year. However, he has looked “really good” leading up to the season, according to his head coach.
“Minzey has made amazing strides in the last 12-18 months,” Yeagley said. “He’s one of our internal developing players.”
Gaydosh, a three-star recruit in 2023, redshirted his freshman season last year. He played for Cincinnati United Premier, his club team, in the offseason, but is still a budding prospect
“Drew is also a young, developing player who looked good in the spring,” Yeagley said. “We’re not ruling anything out in terms of who will or won’t be in the starting lineup, but he’s obviously shown a lot of improvement.”
It's unclear how Minzey and Gaydosh will factor into Indiana’s depth chart, but the two preseason exhibition matches will help clarify their positions.
Indiana hosts Western Michigan on August 11 and the University of Louisville on August 16 at Bill Armstrong Stadium in their preseason slate of games.
Follow reporter Elakai Anela (elakai_anela) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
