It was another dominant win for No. 6 Indiana men’s soccer Monday as the Hoosiers dismantled the University of Denver by a final score of 3-1 in a night in which both offense and defense were in midseason form.
Hoosier fans have become accustomed to Indiana’s defensive prowess. The team had yet to allow a goal in open play entering Monday and had recorded three shutouts on the season. However, the offensive side of the ball had yet to truly been realized, as injuries at the forward position hindered Indiana from starting its best 11 every night.
The frontline, comprising senior Collins Oduro and junior Stephane Njike, represented Indiana’s top returning player and its top transfer addition.
But Monday marked the first time that Oduro and Njike appeared together in Indiana’s starting 11, following preseason injuries and steady returns to action. This combination provided a highly anticipated look into what should become the consistent lineup for the Hoosiers. Oduro and Njike were both included in the United Soccer Coaches’ Players to Watch list entering the season.
While neither scored a goal against the Pioneers, the full-strength Indiana offense appeared as good as advertised, shooting the ball 27 times and staying on target 15 times against a Denver team that only allowed an average of 18.8 shots through its first five matches.
Indiana got the scoring started with the only goal of the first half courtesy of fifth-year midfielder Wes Carnevale in the 29th minute. The Hoosiers outshot the Pioneers 15-1 in the first half and controlled the ball for a majority of the period.
Following the halftime break, Indiana’s offense continued to play intense despite the lead. Twelve more shots — eight of which were on goal — in the second half were enough to keep the game out of reach.
“I thought tonight we had some really good attacking sequences,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said postgame. “We should’ve had a few more goals.”
Both Oduro and Njike assisted on goals in the second half. On the left wing, Njike consistently carried clusters of defenders as he controlled the ball near the endline, drawing defense away from his fellow attackers. Njike’s mere presence was enough to create open shots for his teammates, and he took full advantage of the opportunity.
As he had done multiple times earlier in the game, Njike received a pass left of the penalty box in the 56th minute and darted toward the goal. When received by three Denver defenders, Njike dumped the ball off to an open Michael Adu-Gyamfi, who scored the Hoosiers’ second goal. The assist from Njike resulted in the first collegiate goal for the freshman forward from Ghana.
“He will bring attention,” Yeagley said. “Just the same as Collins. They’re already proven to be so explosive off the dribble. Njike, his ability to finish in different ways is pretty remarkable.”
Oduro was able to find a similar opportunity as the Hoosiers looked to seal the victory. After Denver made it a one-goal affair in the 70th minute, Oduro found green grass near the opposing goal, where three defenders followed him. With all the attention on him, Oduro sent a crossing pass to senior forward Oliver Moller-Jensen, who scored a beautiful bicycle kick goal to provide additional insurance in the 79th minute.
Oduro and Njike, while still goalless on the season, have impressed themselves on the Indiana offense by threatening opposing teams, opening the door for Indiana’s depth to continue making a difference. Following the win Monday, 14 Hoosiers have recorded a point through six games.
“We needed to get Njike going. Collins needed some more minutes,” Yeagley said. “The depth of the attack is great, good spirit in the team.”
The offense has not only spread the wealth through its many players, but also through its many scoring opportunities. The Hoosiers have shot the ball 110 times through six matches, the second most in the Big Ten. Eight Hoosiers average a shot or more per game, headlined by Moller-Jensen, who has already taken 27 on the season.
With Oduro and Njike returning to full form, and the rest of the offensive cast growing in their absences, Indiana’s offense is shaping up to become just as feared as its defense has been.
“(Oduro) is so good at splitting,” Yeagley said. “He’s so quick and electric.”
Indiana men’s soccer will next commence its conference slate, facing Michigan for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday at University of Michigan Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Follow reporters Noah Boudouris (@noahboudouris and nboudour@iu.edu) and Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify a term.
