After grinding out a 1-0 victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Sept. 11, No. 2 Indiana men’s soccer returns to Bill Armstrong Stadium for a matchup with defending national champions Washington on Friday.
The Cream and Crimson finally broke through the robust Wolverines’ backline in the 65th minute with a goal from junior forward Stephane Njike. The score was the Paris native’s first of the season, which Njike followed with a display of flips before being swarmed by his teammates.
“His flips are phenomenal,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said in a press conference Sept. 16. “I'd rather him do maybe one or none, but that's another story ... it was a big moment, big goal.”
Now, with a 6-0-1 record, Indiana will prepare for its eighth matchup this season with Washington.
Meet the Huskies
After starting the season first in the United Soccer Coaches poll, Washington dropped two contests to the University of San Diego and Oregon State University in August. With the losses, the Huskies fell out of the rankings by the start of September.
However, the Huskies have rebounded this season with a 4-2 victory over Penn State on Sept. 11 to open conference play.
“There's a lot of respect we have for Washington,” Yeagley said Sept. 16. “And Washington's been a good program for many years, but when you win it, you have the target.”
Since a 2-1 loss to San Diego to open the season, Washington has produced at least two goals in each of its six games since. The Huskies are led by junior midfielder Zach Ramsey in the attack. Coming off an eight-goal campaign last year, Ramsey has already produced an NCAA-leading 11 goals this season.
Although Ramsey is listed as a midfielder, the 5-foot-10 attacker has pushed his way into a starting forward position in head coach Jamie Clark’s 4-4-2 system. Ramsey has scored a goal in each of the six games he has appeared in this season, including a hat trick against Gonzaga University on Aug. 23.
“So we're going to have a lot of focus on what we can do to limit, you're not going to stop these guys,” Yeagley said Sept. 16. “You just want them to be limited, make it their job hard, and know where our triggers are defensively.”
Outside Ramsey’s team-high, four other Huskies have produced two goals. Junior midfielder Alex Hall and fifth-year midfielder Cameron Cruz have each collected four assists this season, tying for third in the Big Ten.
The Huskies have allowed 12 goals this season, which ties them with Maryland for the most allowed in the conference. Fifth-year goalkeeper Stockton Short’s 53.8% save percentage is the lowest among starting netminders in the Big Ten.
Hoosiers’ defensive cohesion leading to wins
Indiana allowed six shots and only one attempt on goal against Michigan. Junior goalkeeper Michal Mroz played a large part in holding Michigan scoreless, saving a free-kick shot with his fingertips in the 68th minute.
With four clean sheets under his belt, Mroz has only faced 16 shots on goal this season, turning 13 of those chances away from the back of the net.
“His focus is really good,” Yeagley said. “And I think what we're pleased with is that he's been clean with his decisions with regards to balls he wants.”
Since joining the program in January, Mroz has cleaned up many aspects of his game, including his throws when distributing the ball to teammates, Yeagley said. But Indiana’s defense has blended seamlessly in the Hoosiers’ first seven games in 2026.
“So, all the back five were here in January, and I think that was important to get cohesion,” Yeagley said.
The return of junior Josh Maher and senior Alex Barger in the Hoosiers’ defense has formed the foundation for their successful play. Junior defender Nolan Kinsella redshirted in 2024 while converting from a winger.
Kinsella appeared in 15 matches last season and was “learning on the job,” Yeagley said. With another offseason of practice, Kinsella has thrived in the starting right-back role, producing two assists this season.
Along with the three returnees, junior defender Nick McHenry joined the program in January, working with coaches and teammates to fit into the Indiana system after starting all 15 matches at Ohio State last season.
McHenry has started all seven games with the Hoosiers this season, adding a game-winning goal against Butler University on Aug. 27. The center-back partnership between McHenry and Maher has stopped several opposition chances from turning into shots at Mroz.
“They've shown this good cohesion right now, no doubt, and I think it will only get better,” Yeagley said. “I don't think we've played our best game as a defensive unit.”
Indiana and Washington are slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with coverage available on B1G+.
“It's going to be one heck of a game,” Yeagley said. “They're really good, and our fans, whether it's students or not, they want to see great games, and this is one of these.”
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.
