In games past, after gaining a 2-0 late in the first half or in the early second half, the men's soccer team has been accustomed to giving up late second half goals, and either tying or losing the game.
Weeks ago, when they faced top-10 ranked Louisville, the Hoosiers secured a 2-0 lead before giving up two to the Cardinals in regulation, and then falling to them in overtime. Just last Sunday, when IU faced Michigan State at home, IU Coach Todd Yeagley's players jumped ahead 2-0 before tying a team that then had only four wins.
But Wednesday night, after securing yet another 2-0 lead, Yeagley said his team showed more composure in the second half, and was able to fend off a comeback from the University of Evansville, winning 2-1.
"Tonight, even after they scored that first goal, both our offense and defense really kept their composure, which I think was what we lacked in those other games," Yeagley said. "The lesson going forward is that we still need to look for that third or fourth goal, but our guys responded well tonight."
Senior Chris Estridge struck first, off a pass from Harrison Petts - who is now tied for the lead on the team in assists, with six. The goal was Estridge's third on the season.
And just 10 minutes into the second half, sophomore Nikita Kotlov buried his fifth goal of the season, and made Wednesday the fourth game in a row in which he's scored.
True freshman Michael Soderland made the start in goal for the Hoosiers, after Yeagley and the coaching staff decided to pull junior Luis Soffner in order to give the younger Soderland some more experience.
And even though he only had 18 previous minutes of college soccer experience, Soderland survived the night, giving up only one goal to the Purple Aces, and relishing the experience the whole way.
"It was such an honor to be in goal tonight, such a great feeling," Soderland said.
