HOOVER, Ala.--"It's the national championship game," senior defender Caleb Konstanski. "I don't think anything else needs to said about that. I think that's enough motivation in and of itself."
Not since the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament in South Bend have the Hoosiers had to play a game less than 48 hours after the previous one ended.
Four weeks elapsed since the last time the Hoosiers played two games in a week's time.
Sunday, the Hoosiers play Georgetown for the opportunity to win a national championship. The Hoyas played to a 4-4 draw in regulation Friday evening, and eliminated Maryland via penalty kicks, 4-3.
"Georgetown has a few very good strikers," IU Coach Todd Yeagley said. "They're a senior-laden team. They're disciplined and tough. Tonight, I think that game was a bit of a surprise for all of us. These games, typically, in this round, are not 4-4. They're feeling confident, and they're a very tight team. They've come a long way in their progression."
Konstanski said he and his teammates rely heavily on Assistant Athletic Trainer Joe Lueken for his work preparing players.
"There's a fight and belief in this team that is special," Yeagley said. "I'm very proud for these players to have an opportunity to play on Sunday, and I'm very proud for all of IU soccer."
The #Q48 lives on.
