When matched up with a top-10 opponent, most teams are desperate for a win.
When facing one's former team, most players want a goal.
No. 2 Indiana men’s soccer’s 3-1 victory over No. 6 Maryland on Friday night was greatly anticipated, not just because of the highly ranked matchup, but also as Indiana junior forward Stephane Njike’s first game against his former team.
“He handled the challenge well,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said postgame. “That’s a lot of friends on that side. That’s a team that he had a lot of great memories with, and he just went out and played hard for us and didn’t get emotional in the moment.”
Expectations were high as Njike entered his first season as a Hoosier. Top Drawer Soccer ranked him as the No. 6 player in the nation, joining a group of incoming transfers that received the title of TDS’s No. 1 transfer class.
In 2025, his only season as a Terrapin, Njike totaled seven goals and seven assists en route to All-Big Ten first-team honors. In his first campaign as a Hoosier, Njike had collected a goal and four assists ahead of Friday’s date with Maryland.
“For me, the game is not to score goals,” Njike said postgame. “It’s to help my team the best way to win.”
As Indiana took a 2-0 lead into halftime, Njike owned an assist and two shots, with one on target. While he came inches away from scoring in the 28th minute, a night against his former teammates would not be complete without a goal, something Njike achieved in the 63rd minute.
When a pass from senior forward Collins Oduro was deflected on its way to junior forward Easton Bogard, Njike found himself in possession of an unguarded ball and in front of an unguarded goal.
With a booming right foot, Njike glided the ball to the bottom left pocket of the Terrapin goal. As the Indiana bench cleared in celebration, Njike showed off an array of acrobatic flips — just as he did after his goal against Michigan on Sept. 11.
Njike’s goal was not the first of the night, nor was it the game-winner, but it was undoubtably the loudest of the evening. As Njike lined up the picture-perfect goal, no Hoosier fan could stay in their seat.
Indiana’s cruising victory was a well-rounded display of Indiana’s offensive potential. The Hoosiers had yet to score more than twice against a conference opponent. Their last game, a 2-1 clipping of Penn State, was their only multi-goal Big Ten match.
Njike’s performance against his former team also highlighted his defense skills. Whether it was covering ground quickly, filling in gaps or coming up with clutch blocks, his defense played just as large of a part in the Hoosiers’ victory as his offense did.
“He made some phenomenal runs defensively,” Yeagley said. “We needed him to... Every time that he had those moments, he came out ahead of it. He’s known for his attacking but he knows he needs to become the most complete player and he’s doing really well with that.”
The Hoosiers’ roster, littered with eight transfers, has seen leadership shine through a multitude of outlets. Njike’s presence on the field has not only resulted in statistical success, as his leadership and team-minded playstyle has played a major role in Indiana’s team chemistry.
“I try to find him early,” junior midfielder Charlie Heuer said postgame. “I know he’s a special player and one of the best players in the country... He’s a selfless player.”
Njike assisted on Heuer’s first-half goal and collected three points on the evening, bringing his season total to nine, which ranks third on the team.
The Indiana offense, which tallied 16 total shots against the Terrapins, saw Njike deliver in more ways than the game-sealing goal. His four total shots and two shots on goal both tied for team highs in the match. As Njike subbed out of the match in the 80th minute, he was rewarded with an ovation from his new home fans.
“Shoutout to Hoosier army,” Heuer said. “They really help us get through these rough patches and, when we are feeling good, they help us carry that momentum.”
All season, Indiana fans had awaited a breakout night from Njike. On Friday against the Terrapins, the stage was finally his.
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.
