Friday night’s return to Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington was a confidence builder for No. 6 Indiana men’s soccer.
Coming off a 1-1 draw to the University of Louisville on Monday, the Hoosiers only needed 1:01 of game time for senior forward Oliver Moller-Jensen to put a goal past California Polytechnic State University redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mathew Guerra.
“Sometimes early goals that early can be a little bit challenging,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said postgame. “I thought we controlled a lot of their best attacks and gave them low-percentage chances, and I thought our attacks didn't result in a finish, but dangerous mostly.”
The early spark of Hoosier momentum continued throughout the remaining 88 minutes in the first match of the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic. Even after only producing three shots on goal, Indiana was more clinical inside the final third in its 2-0 victory, continuing the Hoosiers’ unbeaten streak to start the season.
After a takeaway from Indiana fifth-year midfielder Alex Matthews, a pass to senior forward Clay Murador gave the Aledo, Texas, native a chance at goal.
However, Murador’s shot from just outside the box was turned away by Guerra. Yet Moller-Jensen was in position to put the ball into the back of the net.
This season, the 5-foot-9 winger has been the Hoosiers’ most prolific player on the offensive end of the field. Moller-Jensen produced his fourth goal of the season — and first since the 3-0 victory over the University of Evansville on Aug. 23 — before the sun went down.
Yeagley has sung the praises of the Atlanta native this season. Despite a six-goal season with Florida Atlantic University last year and a chance to become the “key attacker” for the Owls, Moller-Jensen's decision to transfer to Bloomington has been beneficial to both player and his coach.
“He's so smart,” Yeagley said. “He's so fun to play with. He can do it on his own. He can find a pass. His ideas are good. He's been really good for us.”
The first half wasn’t total domination for Indiana, as Cal Poly finished the first 45 minutes with six shots to the Hoosiers’ four. But Indiana created more quality chances inside the box throughout the entire game.
With Yeagley moving to four forwards in the Hoosiers’ starting 11, his tactics overcame the Mustangs’ five-at-the-back formation.
Junior forward Stephane Njike swapped his traditional center-forward position for a new role in Indiana’s midfield alongside Matthews and fifth-year midfielder Wes Carnevale. But, at times, Njike played more forward, adding to the Hoosiers’ dangerous attack with junior forward Easton Bogard.
“They hadn't played with a five-back all year,” Yeagley said. “So, we quickly turned that around, and I thought we did a really good job. I was really pleased. Been working on kind of our alternative shapes this past week.”
However, Indiana’s brace didn’t come from anyone in the forward line.
It took until the 31st minute for the Hoosiers to double their lead. And this time, Indiana’s goal didn’t come from open play, rather a set piece taken from the right corner flag.
Senior defender Alex Barger’s inswinger into the box missed multiple Cal Poly heads, finding Carnevale at the back post. The 5-foot-10 Carnevale rose above the Mustangs, heading the ball into the back of the net.
“I thought our set piece design tonight was excellent,” Yeagley said. “...Every game we're getting the roles down better. We get the structure down better, and then our variations start layering on.”
With Barger and Matthews taking restart opportunities for the Hoosiers, Indiana almost tacked on another score in the 84th minute. Barger’s cross into the box off a free kick found the head of junior defender Nick McHenry.
The Hoosiers also had high-quality chances inside the box due to the pace of senior forward Collins Oduro and freshman forward Michael Adu-Gyami.
In Oduro’s 48 minutes on Jerry Yeagley Field, he flashed his pace, getting behind Cal Poly’s backline multiple times, including a chance on goal in the 76th minute.
Adu-Gyamfi has caught the eye of Yeagley, despite being a true freshman. The Ghanaian native was taken down inside the box in the 48th minute. Yet after a Video Assistant Referee check, the referee’s decision to let the game continue stood. Still, Adu-Gyamfi showcased quality in 20 minutes, even without recording a shot.
“He's got some special sauce, as we call it,” Yeagley said. “He just lights it up. He moves. We want to keep growing with him ... So, we're kind of wedging him in, even though other guys are playing well.”
Playing in good form, Indiana returns to Bill Armstrong Stadium on Monday for the second match in the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic against the University of Denver.
The Pioneers started the season receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll, but are 1-3-1 on the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and streaming on B1G+.
“I mean, having (the fans) show out every home game is awesome,” Carnevale said postgame. “The support throughout the entire game is amazing. It lifts us up. ... Hopefully we can pack every home game and keep the home streak alive.”
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.
