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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Having just completed a road trip, the women's tennis team wanted to make a statement at the IU Tennis Center Saturday. \nMission accomplished.\nThe Hoosiers (10-6, 1-2 Big Ten) ripped through two opponents, defeating Illinois-Chicago in the morning and Butler in the afternoon, both by a flawless 7-0 score.\n"All in all, I think we did a really good job," coach Lin Loring said. "We concentrated really well. Sometimes you have a tendency to play down to the other teams level, which is how upsets occur, but we did a good job of not doing that."\nIn the opening match against UIC, the Hoosiers jumped out to a quick lead earning the doubles point. \nThe newly formed No. 1 doubles team of senior Kelly Blanch and sophomore Jessica Levin squeaked out a 9-7 win against Nicole Derouin and Ayca Gumuscu. At the No. 2 spot, junior Amanda Field and senior Jennifer Hsia easily handled Alyson Stalzer and Karen Liwanpo 8-1, to secure the doubles point.\nAlthough Blanch has been a mainstay at the No. 1 doubles spot, Loring has been seeking the best possible combination.\n"Doubles is really important," Loring said. "Even though it is only worth one point, it gets things started and gets the players warmed up. I was pleased with how they played today. We'll see what happens with who plays, and settle on something before the Purdue match." \nBlanch said she enjoyed playing with a new partner in Levin.\n"When you change partners a lot it's kind of hard," Blanch said. "But I played with (Levin) a lot in the fall so it works out well."\nThe wins continued to roll throughout the singles competition. IU did not lose a set as it won all six of their singles matches. Blanch only lost 1 game in a 6-0, 6-1 blowout at the No. 1 spot against UIC's Jacki Farr.\nThe Butler match was even more lop-sided. IU swept through the doubles using the same duos as the morning match. Blanch and Levin won more decisively this time, posting a near perfect 8-1 victory. The No. 3 spot was taken by the freshman pair of Martina Grimm and Linda Tran, winning 8-0.\nIU completely dominated the singles, losing six games total from the 6 individual matches. Tran and Jennifer Hsia did not lose a single game, both winning 6-0, 6-0. \nThe Hoosiers said the most difficult thing was staying focused.\n"The matches weren't as tough as the previous five have been, so it was a good opportunity to work on some things," Blanch said. \n Indiana vs. Illinois-Chicago\n Singles\n 1. Blanch def. Farr 6-1, 6-0 \n 2. Field def. Derouin 6-2, 6-4\n 3. Tran def. Gumuscu 6-4, 6-0\n 4. Levin def. Malesevic 6-1, 6-2\n 5. Grimm def. Stalzer 6-3, 6-2\n 6. Hsia def. Harris 6-1, 6-2\n Doubles\n 1. Blanch/Levin def. Derouin/Gumuscu 9-7 \n 2. Field/Hsia def. Stalzer/Liwanpo 8-1 \n 3. Grimm/Tran def. Farr/Malesevic 8-4
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Looking at the box scores of IU's water polo matches this year, one name consistently appears under any offensive category statistic.\nThat name, Kristin Stanford, pops up often, if not after every competition.\nThe 6-foot sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been a scoring machine since she arrived at IU last year. As a freshman, Stanford led the team with 51 goals on 108 shots, finishing only one goal shy of the team record. She recorded 27 assists and 37 steals, showing a well-rounded game.\n"Kristin came to us last year with limited experience and game sense," coach Barry King said. "But through her great attitude and hard work ethic, she's developed into a good player who creates a lot of our offensive opportunities." \nThis season, Stanford hasn't missed a step. \nDuring the first two tournaments, she netted 11 goals and chipped in with 13 assists. Since then, she has led the team with 39 goals scored and 19 assists. Stanford's top games include a five-goal, two-assist performance against Gannon College and a six-goal outburst against U.C. Santa Cruz.\nKing said Stanford's success can be attributed to genetics and mental toughness.\n"Her size and and being left-handed are natural gifts that make a person a great water polo player," King said. "Being left-handed singles her out because she can play positions and take shots that right-handed players can't." \nHer attitude and know-how help her left-handed ability.\n"But it is her desire to compete that sets her apart," King said. "She self evaluates herself very well and sees things going on during a match and then she adjusts to it."\nStanford's heralded water polo career began during her freshman year at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati. Her list of high school accomplishments is about as long as she is tall: MVP honors, two time All-Ohio selection, an All-American and an All-Greater Miami Conference Academic honor. \nShe doubled as the center for the Sycamore basketball team, something that helped foster her water polo skills.\n"Playing basketball really helped me as a water polo player," Stanford said. "There are a lot of similarities the way the offenses are run and even some defensive strategies."\nStanford has earned the respect of her team mates.\n"Kristin is one of the hardest workers I know," senior Kelly McKay said. "She has been maturing as a player and is able to step up and be a leader. Her offense is great, and she is the one on our team who directs traffic."\nMcKay isn't the only one who admires Stanford. McKay said not only has Stanford's offense been spectacular, but her defense is improving, as well.\n"She is just a really great player," junior Kate McCollum said. "We always look to her to shoot, because she has a great shot."\nStanford's scoring ability has helped the Hoosiers to a No. 17 ranking and a 13-7-1 record, giving her high hopes for her future with the program. \n"I want for us to win the Eastern Championships and qualify for the NCAAs this year and every year for the rest of my time here," Stanford said. "I can see that happening"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
After a tie and two overtime losses to Michigan earlier this season, revenge is on the mind of the water polo team as it plays host to a four-team field at the Indiana Invitational at Councilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center this weekend.\nMichigan State is first on IU's agenda at 1 p.m Saturday, followed by a date with No. 18 Massachusetts at 7:30 p.m. In the final match of the invitational, the No. 17 Hoosiers (13-7-1) take on No. 13 Michigan (14-9-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday.\nOf the three opponents, it's obvious which team has the Hoosiers most motivated.\n"Michigan is the team we are most excited playing against," senior Kelly McKay said. "We started thinking about this game the second the buzzer went off ending our last game."\nThe last two games the Hoosiers have lost have been at the hands of the Wolverines -- both occurring last weekend in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the College Water Polo Association Conference Weekend Invitational. The first was a 6-5 double-overtime thriller. In the second matchup with Michigan, the Hoosiers fell 10-9 after three overtimes.\n"It has always been a fun rivalry, but the fact that the games have been so close makes it an even better rivalry," sophomore Kristin Stanford said.\nCoach Barry King said he thinks home-field advantage might help push IU over the top.\n"We are excited to get to play Michigan at home," he said. "We are looking for the benefits of being in front of a hopefully large, rowdy crowd."\nNot to be forgotten are UMass and Michigan State.\nUMass (8-5) finished in fifth place at the Collegiate National Championships last season. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.\n"The UMass match is important because they are regarded as the best team in the the Northern Division, and those are the teams we are going to have to beat," King said.\nMichigan State is a club team but is no stranger to IU. The Hoosiers have had MSU's number, claiming a 15-0 record against the Spartans, including a 9-3 win this year.\n"Michigan State will be a good tune-up opportunity for us," King said. "We'll try to get as many players in and get some experience."\nWith the CWPA Northern District Championships next weekend, these are the last regular season contests for the Hoosiers this season but are their first home games. \nCoaches and players alike are relieved to finally have a match in Bloomington.\n"The road can be tough on you," King said. "The travel, worrying about where to eat or where to stay and things like that all wear on the team. We have been busy unpacking just so we can pack again."\nMcKay said she agrees.\n"We are all hyped to play at home," she said. "It'll finally be nice to be here on the weekend.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
With the most difficult stretches behind it, the women's tennis team hopes to get back on the winning track this weekend as it plays host to two Big Ten opponents.\nIU (11-7, 2-2 Big Ten) has revenge on its mind in the opener against Minnesota 10 a.m. Saturday, and then hopes to continue its dominance against Wisconsin 11 a.m. Sunday.\n"This weekend is going to come down to who is the most consistent team," coach Lin Loring said. "They are definitely matches we could win if we play well."\nIU is coming off a hard-fought 6-1 loss to seventh-ranked Notre Dame last Wednesday, which interrupted a four match winning streak. \nWith the regular season winding down, Big Ten teams occupy the remaining six slots of IU's schedule. IU has already played the two preseason Big Ten favorites, falling to both Northwestern and Illinois. The Hoosiers have had limited Big Ten success at home this season, beating Iowa in their only other home conference match.\n"It's going to be great playing at home this weekend against Big Ten teams," freshman Linda Tran said. "Every match we are playing better and better."\nThe Gophers (13-3, 2-2 Big Ten) defeated IU last year 5-2, in a match where several Hoosiers were missing from the lineup. This year's Minnesota squad is riding a six-match winning streak, and is led by the talents of freshman Valerie Vladea.\nWisconsin (6-10, 1-3 Big Ten) comes in struggling after a 6-1 loss to 15th-ranked Baylor. Lone senior April Gabler has led the team through a turbulent season playing in both the No. 1 slots, singles and doubles. The Badgers opened the Big Ten season with three consecutive losses.\n"Wisconsin has been up and down all year, so that kind of scares me," Loring said. "You never know what team is going to show up to play."\nOne of only two seniors on the IU roster, Jennifer Hsia said she is looking forward to this weekend.\n"This is a good time for us to play Minnesota and Wisconsin," Hsia said. " We also want revenge over the Minnesota loss last season."\nThe strength of the Hoosiers seems to be their doubles. Tran and junior Karie Schlukebir improved to 3-0 as a pair this season with a victory at the No. 2 doubles position against Notre Dame. \nLoring praised the No. 3 doubles team of junior Amanda Field and Hsia as playing their best tennis of the year against the Irish.\nField has also been consistent this year at the No. 2 singles spot. She outscored her first two opponents by a combined 24-1 this spring. Despite a two-set loss to Notre Dame, Field still leads the team with a 12-6 individual record.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
After a tough loss to nationally ranked Notre Dame Wednesday, the women's tennis team returned to form this weekend at the IU Tennis Center, defeating Big Ten adversaries Minnesota Saturday and Wisconsin Sunday, both by a decisive 6-1 score. \nIU (13-7, 4-2 Big Ten) wasted no time making a statement against Minnesota (13-4, 2-3 Big Ten). The Hoosiers jumped out to a quick lead by grabbing the doubles point for the sixth consecutive match. In the process, IU's No. 3 doubles team of junior Amanda Field and senior Jennifer Hsia won their sixth consecutive match together.\nThe Hoosiers continued the momentum through the singles competition, winning five of the six matches. Sophomore Jessica Levin and freshman Martina Grimm won both of the competition's only three-set matches, 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 and 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 respectively.\n"This was a tough win for us," coach Lin Loring said. "We knew if we played well, we should win, but if we didn't, we would lose. Often, those are the toughest kind of matches."\nIU continued to roll in the Wisconsin (6-10, 1-3 Big Ten) matchup, winning the doubles point by sweeping all three doubles matches.\n"The scores are deceiving, because (Wisconsin) is a tough team," Loring said. "We played well outside, and we played smart."\nThe momentum carried IU right into the singles competition, with the Hoosiers taking five of the six matches. Senior Kelly Blanch defeated Wisconsin's April Gabler 7-5, 6-2. Field dominated the No. 2 singles matchup with Wisconsin's Vanessa Rauh winning 6-0, 6-1 and snapped a two-match losing streak in the process. Field said she did not consider herself ever to be in a slump.\n"It is always important to get a win, but this wasn't any more important than usual," Field said. "I wasn't bothered by the losses, because I've been playing really well. But it just hasn't worked out."\nWith Grimm, who's usually in the singles lineup, hindered with shin splints, Hsia stepped in at the No. 6 singles spot and substituted admirably, winning 6-0, 6-0. Primarily used solely as a doubles player during the last few matches, Hsia had no problem adjusting her role.\n "The coaches always tell me to be ready, so I was," Hsia said. "I haven't been playing singles too well, so this win was good."\n With the wins, the Hoosiers have won six of their last seven matches and continue to gain momentum going into the Big Ten tournament at the end of the month.\n "Personally speaking, I am very confident in this team's abilities," Hsia said. "We just keep getting better and better, and I think we are going to be a tough team to beat in the Big Ten tournament"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
If anything can be taken out the men's soccer teams two exhibition games last weekend it's that IU's defense is capable of completely shutting out a ranked opponent, and the Hoosier offense is capable of scoring several goals against a ranked opponent.\nThis weekend, IU will try to combine both in the same match as they host the 19th annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic at Bill Armstrong Stadium to kickoff the 2001-2002 season.\nThe Hoosiers proved the former when they battled to a 0-0 tie with No. 17 South Carolina, and then the latter with a 3-3 deadlock with No. 19 Alabama-Birmingham in Ft Wayne.\nRounding out the four-team field at the Classic are the Butler Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, and St. Johns Red Storm.\nIU opens today at 7:30 p.m. against No. 11 St. Johns, and then concludes the tournament tomorrow night at 7:30 against No. 23 Kentucky.\nThis will be the first ever meeting between St. Johns and the Hoosiers. St. Johns head coach Dave Masur returns 7 starters from a team that went 14-5-2 last season.\nIU has owned Kentucky over the years, holding a 14-1-0 career edge, including the last three meetings at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nCoach Jerry Yeagley is at the helm for his 29th season, seeking his 6th national championship.\n"We answered a lot of questions last weekend at the IPFW Soccer Classic," Yeagley said. "Both teams we will face this weekend play a 4-4-2 formation, similar to South Carolina. We will be working hard to generate offense against this style of play and penetrate more quickly."\nGenerating most of the offense will be National Player of the Year candidate and All-American, junior Pat Noonan. Noonan led the team in scoring last season with eleven goals and 6 assists.\nSeeing quality minutes up front with Noonan will be freshman newcomer Mike Ambersley, who is a familiar face to Noonan. The duo made up the front-line for Desmet Jesuit High School in Ballwinn, Missouri during during Noonan's senior and Ambersley's sophomore year in high school.\n"(Noonan helps me a lot on and off the field," Ambersley said. "It helps to have the experience of playing with him in the past, but we've had two years off, so it may take some time to adjust."\nTwo-time All-American and senior Ryan Mack could be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, and highly touted freshman Ned Grabavoy is out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. With the loss of both of these offensive threats, the IU defense looks to carry a big load.\nSenior defenseman Josh Rife is up for the challenge.\n"I think there has been a little added pressure on the defense with some of the injuries we've had," Rife said. "That is where we are the most experienced. Our job is to play well and give the offense time to gel, and a lot of our guys have stepped up."\nYeagley has taken a mental approach to preparing for this weekend.\n"We've been doing a lighter work this week, with lower and intensity and having them do more quality work," he said. "We've been working more on practicing the brain and have had several tactical and film sessions.\n"Right now we feel like we have the tools in position, but we are doing the fine tuning and trying to get our legs back," he said. "We want the quality but we don't want to push the intensity too hard"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
With a 3-0 win against Butler last night at Bill Armstrong Stadium, Jerry Yeagley became the second coach in NCAA Division I history to record 500 wins. \nIU came out of the gates controlling the ball and overpowering Butler. After a couple of diving saves by Butler goalie Barrie Grant, IU finally broke through. At the 18:41 mark, senior Tyler Hawley threw the ball into the box, skimming off the head of junior Pat Noonan, and ricocheted off the foot of freshman Mike Ambersley for his second goal of the season.\nAmbersley said the game meant a little more to him because of the history being made. \n"We try to downplay it a little bit, but I mean it's out there every day, we are hearing about it so of course we want to try as hard as we can to get it for coach," Ambersley said. "He's a great coach, the best in the country, and it was just an honor to be out on that field."\nComing fresh off being named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the third consecutive week, Noonan put a free kick from about 20 yards out into the back of the net, giving IU a 2-0 lead going into halftime.\nNoonan was not finished. In the second half he made a quick pass to junior back John Swann through several defenders inside the box, which Swann promptly put away, giving the Hoosiers a 3-0 lead.\n"We've been working on that one," Swann said. "Those are the plays we work every day in practice, and I always tell myself one day they are going to come. Noonan just slipped the ball in off my foot. Really, it was all Noonan."\nWith the assist, Noonan has had a part in the last nine Hoosier goals, and 13 of the team's 16 goals.\nYeagley said the play was up and down.\n"The first 30 minutes I was very pleased," he said. "I thought we really played well and came out fired up. I thought we fell asleep the last 15 minutes, took our foot off the pedal, but part of it was Butler, they stepped it up. It wasn't until the last 15 minutes that we really started to get back in sync."\nOnce again the Hoosier defense came up with a shutout, its fifth of the season. Butler managed only one shot in the first half, and IU senior Goalie Colin Rogers tallied three saves.\n"Every time we step on to the field our goal is to get a shutout," Swann said. "Tonight, they had two very good strikers, and I thought (senior Ryan Hammer) did very well. He made me look good tonight because he shut down his man, so mine didn't get the ball too much."\nWith about three minutes to go in the match, and the outcome secure, freshman Ned Grabavoy made his long awaited debut as a Hoosier. Grabavoy has been generally regarded as the top freshman in the country, but was sidelined because of a broken foot suffered on the first day of practice. In his limited action, Grabavoy touched the ball a couple of times, showing glimpses of things to come.\nYeagley says Grabavoy has made great strides, but is not fully ready.\n"He will not go to Michigan, but I would say starting next week, if he keeps progressing, we are going to see more and more of him," Yeagley said. "You know the one pass he made tonight was a special pass. He can really do special things. I wanted to give him a chance to come out here because it was important to him. He said 'I don't care if I get 30 seconds, I would like to be apart of this, I would like to play this year.'"\nSunday the Hoosiers travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan at 2 p.m. The Wolverines are 7-1 in their second season as a varsity sport.\n"Michigan has a couple really good freshman," Ambersley said. "They are having a good year so far, which makes this another big game. We better come out to play or they will come out and show us something"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The men's soccer team completed its road season with a win and a tie against two highly regarded programs this weekend, beating No. 10 Rutgers 1-0 Friday and tying Princeton (6-2-5) 1-1 Sunday.\nThe No. 7 Hoosiers (11-3-1) used a familiar formula, combining strong defense with the goal scoring of junior All-American Pat Noonan, who recorded two goals on the road trip. \nIU 1 Rutgers 0\nThe Hoosiers defense proved too much for a usually potent Rutgers offense, as IU recorded its 10th shutout in 11 wins.\nCoach Jerry Yeagley was pleased with his team's effort.\n"This was our best performance overall this season," Yeagley said. "We probably should have scored more goals; we had some unlucky shots off the post. The midfield possessed the ball well and (senior goalkeeper Colin Rogers) had a steady, solid performance."\nThe first half ended scoreless despite several near misses for both teams. Rutgers was able to get off 11 shots in the opening half, but Rogers handled them without difficulty. Noonan made a bid to break things open when he banged a shot off the inside post, but the ball rolled on the goal line, never breaking the plane.\nIU picked up its play in the second half, outshooting Rutgers 9-3. About halfway through the period, Noonan took a free kick from outside 20 yards that managed to bend inside the goal.\n"This was a great win for us," Noonan said. "We couldn't have done it without the defense. They played an unbelievable game. We won every head ball and took advantage of our restart opportunities. We really matched their intensity and came out strong."\nThe Hoosiers were without the services of freshman starting midfielder Danny O'Rourke, who had to sit out a game because of accumulating five yellow cards during the season. "We had good play from our bench tonight as well. (Junior) Marcus (Chorvat) stepped in for Danny O'Rourke in the defensive midfield position and (senior) Bobby (de St. Aubin) looked nice out wide," Yeagley said.\nIU 1 Princeton 1\nAfter 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods, IU and Princeton ended deadlocked 1-1. IU failed to get the win despite another all-around effort from the defense and a goal from Noonan. \nThe match gave IU its first tie of the season, and Princeton's school record fifth.\n"Well, we didn't win so we are not satisfied," Yeagley said. "They are a good team and play a very physical game with the ball in the air a lot. It was not a game where it was easy to set up plays. There were times when I thought they were the better team. Their goalie also managed to come up with some very big saves."\nPrinceton came out playing a smothering defense, allowing very few opportunities for the Hoosiers. But, just under 30 minutes into the game, senior midfielder Tyler Hawley found a tightly guarded Noonan in front of the Princeton goal. Noonan shook off his defender and sent a shot into the back of the net.\n"I think (freshman Mike) Ambersley forced possession of the ball and managed to get it down to Tyler," Noonan said. "Tyler flicked it through to me and I was able to get off a good shot."\nThe lead was short-lived, as Princeton answered 10 minutes later. The Tigers' leading scorer, senior Mike Nugent tallied his third goal of the weekend, to knot the score.\n"The ball took an unlucky bounce," Rogers said. "It bounced right to their wide open forward who had a nice finish in the corner."\nThe remainder of the game was filled with close calls on both sides, but all were extinguished by the dominating performances of Rogers, and Princeton senior goalkeeper Jason White. Rogers tallied seven saves for the game, and White ended up with five.\n"It was a really physical game and I think we did a good job for the most part," Noonan said. "They played well and took advantage of opportunities. The goalie had a good performance"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The men's soccer team heads to Madison ,Wis., this weekend as the No. 1 seed in the 2001 Big Ten Tournament. Matches begin today and conclude with the championship game at 2 p.m. Sunday. \nIU hopes to get back on track after a disappointing showing in the tournament last year. A second-round 1-0 loss to Ohio State interrupted a 39 conference game unbeaten streak, and a run of eight conference tourney championships in the tournament's nine-year history.\nThis season, IU (12-3-1) is 6-0 in league play, marking the sixth straight season the Hoosiers have gone undefeated against conference foes. Not only have the Hoosiers won, but they have swept through the conference, outscoring opponents 17-1 overall.\nWith the top seed, the Hoosiers get a first-round bye and play the winners of Thursday's No. 4 Wisconsin versus No. 5 Michigan match-up in the semi-finals. The first day off is something Coach Jerry Yeagley said he views as an advantage. \n"Having the bye and not playing back-to-back games is what we play for all season long," Yeagley said. "It is a real plus in many ways. Having a tough game on the first game can definitely take something out of a team but there is also the advantage of knowing the field."\nSenior Goalkeeper Colin Rogers agrees with Yeagley.\n"It's nice being the number one seed and having the first game off," Rogers said. "But we learned last year that having that day off doesn't always mean a win, so we have to be ready to play."\nThe Hoosiers have shown a balanced attack featuring a stifling defense in the Big Ten this year. Offensively, IU is third in the league in goals and second in assists, while the defense leads the league in goals allowed, averaging just .38 goals given up a game. \nJunior All-American Pat Noonan is second in the Big Ten in goals, assists, and total points, and Rogers is the leading goalkeeper.\nRogers and the rest of the defense allowed six goals in the regular season this year. The last time an IU team allowed only six goals prior to post-season play was 1998, when the Hoosiers went on to win the National Championship.\nDespite IU being the favored team, Noonan said the tournament is up for grabs. \n"I think once playoff time starts, there aren't any favorites," Noonan said. "Penn State and Ohio State have been two of the better teams. But no matter who we play they're going to come out fighting. Anything can happen once this tournament starts."\nAfter falling to Ohio State last year, IU went on to their fourth consecutive Final Four in the NCAA Tournament, missing the championship game by an overtime goal. Even with the success, Yeagley said he sees the Big Ten Tournament as more than just a tune-up for the NCAAs.\n"The Big Ten Tournament is a prelude for the NCAA Tournament, but it is a very important goal for us to win it," Yeagley said. "That is all we are thinking about right now; there is nothing beyond that in our minds. There is pressure, but we like that"
(12/07/01 6:07am)
The ACC champion Clemson Tigers travel to Big Ten champion IU this Sunday for a match to earn a trip to the coveted College Cup -- the Final Four of college soccer. The game takes place at 2 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nClemson comes in with the fifth seed in the NCAA Tournament, boasting a 19-4 record. The Hoosiers are seeded fourth, with a 16-3-1 record.\nWith a win, IU will make its fifth consecutive trip to the College Cup, something only Virginia has done in the last 30 years. With two more wins, coach Jerry Yeagley and IU will tie St. Louis for the most all-time tournament wins with 62. \nGunning for his sixth national championship,Yeagley predicts a close, competitive battle.\n"Clemson is a good team with a lot of heart," Yeagley said. "They are strong and play physical soccer where they try to put a lot of pressure on the defense to force mistakes.\n"The question will be whether we can compete physically with them. We don't thrive on physical play, yet we'll battle with anyone." \nClemson and IU are not strangers to each other.\nThe two schools are tied 4-4 in the all-time series, with three meetings taking place in the post-season. Clemson owns a 2-1 edge in those games, despite IU winning the last three meetings.\nClemson head coach Trevor Adair is looking forward to adding to the rivalry. \n"This has been a great rivalry for as long as I've been here," Adair said. "We are two good teams with a storied history. The last couple of years, it has been that if you want to go to the Final Four you have to go through Clemson and Indiana first."\nThe Hoosiers are coming off what Yeagley called their best performance of the season, a 3-0 dominating performance against Rutgers last weekend. The Sweet 16 win stretched the Hoosiers' winning streak to six games.\nClemson comes in just as hot as the Hoosiers. The Tigers have won seven straight and 18 of their last 20 games. During that period, Clemson has outscored its opponents by a staggering 55-12 margin. \nClemson's 19 wins this season are the second most during Adair's seven-year tenure. Adair has compiled a 101-38-10 record during that time, including a a 22-2 mark in 1998.\nThe Tiger offense is led by senior Ian Fuller and junior Dimelon Westfield, who have 11 and nine goals respectively. But arguably the most dangerous player on the team is sophomore defender Oguchi Onyweu, who scored two goals in Clemson's overtime thriller against Alabama-Birmingham last weekend. \n"(Onyweu) is a man-mountain," Yeagley said. "He's been referred to as the Shaq of college soccer. He's just a big, strong guy who, no matter what you do, is going to get his share of balls."\nTrying to stop Clemson's powerful attack will be an IU defense that has been almost impenetrable this season. The Hoosier defense has yet to give up a goal in the post-season and allowed only six goals all year. Senior goalkeeper Colin Rogers is one of the highest-rated goalkeepers in the country, sporting a .31 goals-against average -- the best in the nation. \nAdair said he was impressed with IU's defense. \n"I'm not sure how we are going to crack their solid defense," Adair said. "What we are going to have to do is pressure them into making a mistake and put ourselves in a position that if a mistake occurs, we can throw everything at them."\nWith the IU offense running on all cylinders last weekend against Rutgers, the player that made the most noise was freshman Ned Grabavoy. The most-heralded of IU's strong recruiting class coming in this year, Grabavoy was side-lined for most of the season after breaking his left foot in the first practice. Yeagley said to expect more playing time out of Grabavoy, who garnered two assists in IU's three-goal performance against Rutgers.\n"(Ned) Grabavoy should get his first start on Sunday; he earned it last weekend," Yeagley said. "It has been a frustrating year for that young man, but the fact that he has battled back to game form shows his strength and work ethic. He helps our combination play so much when he is on the field"
(12/07/01 6:04am)
IU soccer Coach Jerry Yeagley had a tough decision two years ago.\nGoing into the '99 season, the legendary coach reeled in yet another star-studded recruiting class featuring the likes of current IU standouts junior forward Pat Noonan, and junior midfielders Phil Presser, and Michael Bock. \nBut arguably the most heralded recruit was a goalkeeper out of Palatine, Ill., named Doug Warren.\nWarren came into the program as the top high school goalkeeper prospect in the country. Although he was a Parade All-American and a U.S. National team member, Warren knew it would be a fight to see any playing time at IU. The incumbent goalkeeper at the time for the Hoosiers was junior T.J. Hannig, who led the team to a National Championship the previous season.\nDespite being a freshman, Warren challenged Hannig for the starting role. Yeagley used both keepers during the regular season, before deciding who would be the starting keeper in the postseason.\nExperience won. Yeagley gave Hannig the starting position for the Hoosiers, who ended up leading IU to its second National Championship in as many years.\nWarren, knowing Hannig had another year with the Hoosiers, decided to transfer from IU to a school where he would make an immediate impact.\nClemson was that school.\n"It was tough, but in goalkeeping you can only play one player," Yeagley said. "Doug and T.J. battled it out, and T.J. won as the upperclassman. Doug just didn't want to wait another year. We left on very good terms and he had our blessing. It has worked out well for everybody." \n As the Hoosiers went to their fourth-consecutive Final Four last season, Warren had success at Clemson.\n Warren started every game as a sophomore and was named All-ACC. He posted a stingy 1.19 goals-against average for the season. Warren also made 77 saves and posted six shutouts.\n This season has been no different. Warren was recently named first-team All-ACC for the second year in a row while allowing a mere 12 goals for a 0.75 goals-against average. \n Warren's strong play led Clemson to a fifth-seed in the NCAA Tournament, where Warren will play his former school for the first time this Sunday. The winner of the IU-Clemson game earns a trip to the Final Four.\n Warren said the magnitude of the game was enough to get him ready, not the past history.\n"I don't have anything against Indiana at all," Warren said. "They are a first-class program. I am going to prepare for Indiana just like I have every other game this season. I'm really looking forward to a great game."\nYeagley welcomes Warren back and thinks the game should be interesting.\n"He knows our players, and our players know we aren't going to get any easy goals," Yeagley said. "He probably has a little edge knowing the tendencies of some of our attacking players, because he played with them for a year."\nOne of those players is the All-American Noonan. The Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year has been terrorizing goalies all year, and is familiar to Warren.\n"The one thing about soccer is its not predictable," Warren said. "I know players like (Noonan) well, but I don't think that once we get into the game that will be much of a factor. I know I will have to be ready for anything."\nWhen Hannig went down mid-season last year, senior Colin Rogers filled in at goal. This year Rogers has turned into one of the top goalies in the country, and is looking forward to facing Warren.\n"(Warren) is a great keeper, with a lot of national and international experience," Rogers said. "He is a good shot blocker who can really read the game well. But, this isn't going to be a goalkeeper war; it's Indiana versus Clemson. While we will have our part in the outcome, this is definitely just a battle of two good teams"
(12/03/01 6:16am)
After edging Michigan State 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last Sunday, people began to wonder when the Hoosiers would start scoring goals.\nThe only question pondered during IU's sweet 16 meeting with Rutgers was when the Hoosiers would stop. \nBehind an efficient offense and yet another defensive shutout, the Hoosiers defeated Rutgers 3-0 Sunday, securing another trip to the Elite 8.\nCoach Jerry Yeagley, who is looking for his sixth national championship and a fifth straight trip to the College Cup, was all smiles after the game.\n"Today Rutgers caught Indiana on the wrong day," Yeagley said. "This is the best soccer we've played all year, especially offensively in the second half. There was some beautiful combination play, movement off the ball, pinpoint passing. Anyone who appreciates the game of soccer appreciated the Hoosiers today."\nThe game started evenly for the Hoosiers and Rutgers. The turning point came halfway through the first half when freshman Mike Ambersley sent a rocket at the goal, which ricocheted off the crossbar. Although the ball did not go in, the near-goal sparked the intensity of the Hoosiers. \nMinutes later, junior Phil Presser put IU on the board with his first goal of the season. The play started with junior Pat Noonan, who found freshman Ned Grabavoy at the top of the goal box. Grabavoy one-touched a pass to Presser on the left side of the goal box, who juked two defenders before sending the ball into the opposite corner of the net.\nRutgers held off several more offensive chances for the Hoosiers in the first half, as the game went into halftime 1-0.\nThe second half started off with the Hoosiers completely dominating. Just two minutes into the half, Noonan showed why he was the Big Ten Player of the Year. Rutgers senior goalkeeper Ricky Zinter had trouble getting to senior Ryan Hammer's head ball on goal, which ended up being a perfect pass to Noonan who finished the play to give IU a 2-0 lead.\nThe third and final goal came off the foot of sophomore Vijay Dias. Dias converted on a one-on-one with Zinter, after being served a through-ball from Grabavoy. The goal was Dias' third of the season, and gave Grabavoy his second assist of the game.\nPerhaps even more impressive than the three goals was IU's ability to completely shut down Rutger's scoring attack, specifically senior Dennis Ludwig. The Big East Player of the Year came into the game with 17 goals on the season, and three already in the tournament.\nJunior back John Swann says the secret to the Hoosier defense is their close-knit unity.\n"We know our own strengths and weaknesses, and where we want the ball," Swann said. "The experience level now is just tremendous, and each game we get better and better. Every game we know we are going to be in sync"
(11/08/01 5:42am)
With head coach Jerry Yeagley returning a steady group of players from last year's College Cup team, it was unclear what kind of impact IU's heralded recruiting class would make in their first season.\nNow with the regular season in the books, there is no question that the freshmen will have a large role if IU is to make it through the Big Ten Tournament and to their fifth consecutive College Cup.\n"We have a lot of talented young players," Yeagley said. "Those freshmen are now veterans with a season under their belt so we don't expect them to make freshman mistakes any longer. These are guys who have played at a pretty good level before and hopefully won't be in awe." \nIU's version of the "Fab 5" (Mike Ambersley, Ned Grabavoy, Danny O'Rourke, J.D. Johnston, and Trey Meek) have all seen significant playing time this season, and all but Meek have found themselves in the starting lineup. In all, seven different first-years have scored at least one point this season.\nAmbersley leads the pack with 14 points, having scored five goals and tallying four assists, including a hat trick on three shots against Michigan. His 14 points are second to only All-American Pat Noonan for the team lead. \nAmbersley said he is looking forward to his first post-season with the Hoosiers.\n"I'm excited, but not too nervous right now," Ambersley said. "I really don't know what to expect. Once you get your first touch on the ball, or make your first run the nerves kind of go away. Things get a little more intense in the postseason at any level, so I'm looking forward to the challenge."\nJohnston and O'Rourke have also been steady contributors this season. Johnston, who has been hampered lately with minor injuries, has started six games and tallied four assists, while O'Rourke has been consistent at the defensive midfield position all season, starting all but one of the 15 games in which he has played.\n"The regular season was fun, but we were just building up to play in the post-season," O'Rourke said. "Our team has been getting so much better every day, and I think we are ready to make a run in the tournaments. All the butterflies will hopefully be gone once I step out onto the field. I'll be nervous, but once I get into the flow of things it'll be fun."\nMeek and Grabavoy both scored their first goals of the season against IUPUI in IU's final match of the season. Grabavoy, who was sidelined most of the season with a broken foot, should see a substantial amount of minutes in the tournament according to Yeagley. \n"I'm happy to see our freshmen playing as well as they are," Yeagley said "(Grabavoy) is playing well and improving everyday. I'm also pleased with the way Trey Meek has come on here at the end of the season. He has shown flashes of his capabilities as a forward."\nEven with an arsenal of young talent, Yeagley said he never forgets importance of the veteran leaders on his team and their experience.\n"When push comes to shove, we will go with experience," he said. "Nothing can replace it"
(11/02/01 6:07am)
The men\'s soccer team closes out its 2001 regular season Sunday, hosting the IUPUI Jaguars at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The game begins at 2 p.m.\nIU (11-3-1) continues to climb in the rankings, as the Oct. 29 National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll has the Hoosiers at the No. 4 position. IUPUI (7-6-2) is not ranked.\nIU plays the role of the favorite once again, but coach Jerry Yeagley sees IUPUI as a dangerous underdog. \n"Our match-up with IUPUI will not be an easy one," Yeagley said. "(IUPUI) will come ready to pack it in. We will have to be patient and we will have to look deeper on the field as well as out wide. They are very physical and are a better team than they were last year. They\'ll come out ready and strong." \n IUPUI returns five starters and 16 letter winners from a team that finished 11-9-2, finishing third in its conference. Although the two teams are not strangers to each other in spring and preseason play, this marks only the second official career meeting between the two schools. IU won in the first meeting 2-0 last season. Head coach Steve Franklin, a former assistant at IU, is at the helm and has drawn high praise from Yeagley.\n"I respect (Franklin) very much," Yeagley said of his former assistant. "He knows our program inside and out."\nOffensively, IUPUI is led by senior Ben Higginbotham, who has tallied four goals and six assists this season. Defensively IUPUI fields one of the top goalkeepers in the nation, senior Armando Ferria.\n"(Ferria) is a very good keeper and (Franklin) always knows how to play us," junior Pat Noonan said. "Every time we play them they come out fighting. Last year it took us till the 82nd minute to get the goal. If we take them lightly they will bite us."\n Yeagley said the key to finishing the season strong is defense. \n "In comparison to our finish last season, we are much more consistent defensively," Yeagley said. "There was a time earlier this season when the flood gates opened and we were scoring three to four goals a game. Over the last four games we have only scored three goals but we\'ve only given up two. In the long run, defense is the thread."\nThe IU offense usually flows through Noonan, who was recently named one of 15 candidates for the Missouri Athletic Club Soccer Player of the Year award. The M.A.C. award is the official NSCAA/adidas award for top Division I players. The winner will be determined by the voting of Division I coaches, and will be announced in early December.\nAfter seven games at Armstrong Stadium this season, the Hoosier\'s have averaged 2,469 fans per game. The season attendance record is 2,166 fans per game, which was set in 1999. In the likely event more than 46 fans show up Sunday, the Hoosiers will break the 1999 record and set the new single-season average attendance record.\n"The fans are such a big part of our success," senior goalkeeper Colin Rogers said. "At home with the big crowds supporting us, it really gives us a big lift. It\'s a great honor for our team to have so many fans come out and support us"
(10/22/01 5:37am)
It may not have been pretty, but it got the job done.\nThe No. 6 Hoosiers completed the Big Ten regular season undefeated for the sixth consecutive year, with a 1-0 win against No. 20 Ohio State Saturday.\nIU's victory came in the midst of a 34 foul, seven yellow card, and one red card affair, which proved costly for both teams. \nThe Hoosier's (10-3-0, 6-0-0) controlled the game early, and broke through with fewer than 15 minutes off the clock. Sophomore Vijay Dias took a direct kick from the right side of the field, and served the ball to the far post. Senior back Ryan Hammer met the ball with his head, and sent it past Ohio State senior goalkeeper Kerry Thompson. The goal was Hammer's fourth of the season, and gave the Hoosiers what would end up being the game's only goal.\n"There was a definite feeling of revenge after Ohio State beat us in the Big Ten Tournament last season," Hammer said. "We've been planning for this game all season. I don't think we necessarily played our best soccer but we came up with the win."\nWith time running out in the first half, and fouls beginning to add up, Ohio State freshman midfielder Peter Withers received his second yellow card of the evening. The penalty resulted in a red card and gave IU a one-man advantage for the rest of the match.\nDespite being up a man, IU failed to take advantage and could not penetrate a conservatively packed Ohio State defense.\n"I have seen it happen many times that the team that goes a man down works twice as hard, and the team that has an extra player relaxes," said coach Jerry Yeagley. "I would have rather had them have 11 players out there."\nDias said he also saw a drop off in intensity.\n"We came out in the first 30 minutes very aggressive and matched (Ohio State's) intensity," Dias said. "But after they were a man down we became a little bit disorganized and struggled to produce offensively."\nAfter being held scoreless by Notre Dame in the previous game, Yeagley expressed concern of his team's recent offensive output.\n"Right now goals are hard to come by," he said. "We got a goal off a restart tonight, but have not had one from scrimmage in two games. For a while everything was going in, and things were easy. That happens. Hopefully we will become more productive from the field."\nDespite the sputtering offense, the Hoosier defense was once again impenetrable, posting their ninth shutout of the season. IU gave up only one goal against six Big Ten opponents this season.\n"Our play in the final third wasn't where it needed to be," Yeagley said. "When that happens you need to keep working and count on your defense to keep you in the game. Our backs have done the job we need them to do."\nThe victory came with a price for the Hoosiers.\nFreshman starting midfielder Danny O'Rourke received his fifth yellow card of the season, which suspends him for the next game against No. 8 Rutgers.\n"That was very costly," Yeagley said. "Going on the road to play Rutgers without him. I'm not sure who will play there, but he has been a very important part of our team. That was one of the consequences"
(10/19/01 5:51am)
The No. 6 men's soccer team hopes to get back on the winning track when it is host to No. 20 Ohio State at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bill Armstrong Stadium. This is the second of a crucial four-game set, coach Jerry Yeagley said. IU fell to Notre Dame 1-0 in the first game Thursday.\n"We are in for a tough stretch here, and we'll see how we rebound," Yeagley said. "But (Notre Dame) was a tough pill to swallow."\nWith a win against Ohio State, the Hoosiers would finish the Big Ten regular season undefeated. Until last season, IU had a 38-game Big Ten winning streak until it lost to Ohio State in the conference tournament's championship game. \nIU has already clinched the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament. IU sits atop the conference followed by Penn State, Michigan State and then Ohio State.\nThe Buckeyes (8-2-2, 1-1-1) look to build on one of the best starts in school history. The Buckeyes are led on the sidelines by fifth-year head coach John Bluem, who returns 17 letter winners from the best team in school history. They are led on the field by senior goalkeeper Kerry Thompson, who is was recently named defensive player of the week for the second time this season. Thompson is 6-2-2 in goal with his last two wins coming via shutout -- a 1-0 win against Cleveland State and a double-overtime scoreless tie with No. 17 Penn State.\nThe Hoosiers (9-3-0 5-0) will have to find their offensive spark again if they want to get past Thompson. IU went 90 minutes without a goal against Notre Dame and had limited opportunities. The Hoosiers will be looking junior Pat Noonan and freshman Mike Ambersley.\nNoonan, a three-time player of the week, has eight goals and eight assists in 12 games, and Ambersley has chipped in five goals and four assists of his own. \nNoonan said after the loss that the Ohio State game is even more important.\n"It's a must-win," Noonan said. "It is a game at home like this, and if we come out and lose again... We have to come out and win this game."\nOhio State has not been so successful on offense, managing just two goals in its last four matches. Junior transfer Andy Rosenband switched from Wake Forest and has made an immediate impact for the Buckeyes. Rosenband leads the team in goals with five and is tied for the lead in assists with four. In his previous two years at Wake Forest, he only managed four goals and six assists.\nRosenband and the rest of the Buckeyes will have a tough time against a stingy Hoosier defense led by senior goalkeeper Colin Rogers. Despite giving up a goal to Notre Dame, Rogers is still among the leaders in the nation with goal allowed averages, having allowed only five goals in 12 games.\nRogers is expecting a confident Ohio State squad.\n"Another big game for us," Rogers said. "We need to be ready to go, because they are going to come in here ready to beat us"
(10/17/01 5:22am)
It appears it is no longer about winning for the men's soccer team. It's about if the other team will even score.\nNotre Dame comes to Bill Armstrong Stadium tonight hoping to both score and win, and slow down a hot Hoosier team and get past a seemingly impenetrable defense. \nThe task will not be easy.\nThe Hoosiers have shutout their last four opponents and six of their last seven, winning seven in a row while bringing their record to 9-2-0. The Oct. 15 National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll ranks Indiana No. 6.\nIn playing Notre Dame, the Hoosiers renew an in-state rivalry that has not taken place since 1997. Since the series began in 1978, IU is 20-1-1 against the Fighting Irish, whose last win came in 1987.\nThis season, Notre Dame is led by their new coach Bobby Clark, who had success at Dartmouth and, most recently, with IU rival Stanford. Eight starters and 19 letter winners return from last year's squad that finished 7-8-2.\nNotre Dame (5-4-0) is led by junior forward Erich Braun from Frankfurt, Germany. He has a team-high seven goals and three assists.\nEven with the favorable history, coach Jerry Yeagley is bracing himself for a challenging match. \n"Notre Dame has always been a tough in state rival for us," Yeagley said. "You can throw the records out when these two teams play. It will be a competitive game on both ends of the field."\nSenior back Ryan Hammer agrees.\n"Notre Dame is going to be a tough physical match, because they are a good team," he said. "Just like any other team that plays us, they will come fired up, but I think (Clark) may take it a little more personal when he plays IU."\nThe story for IU in the last couple games has been its defense scoring goals in addition to preventing them.\nJunior back John Swann has scored four goals this season, and Hammer has contributed three. \n"All of our defensive goals have come off set pieces," senior goalkeeper Colin Rogers said. "The guys in the back are some of our best players in the air, and they've been playing really aggressive and getting some goals."\nIn 11 games this season, IU has given up four goals, giving them a nation's best .36 goals against average. The closest team to the Hoosiers is University of Alabama-Birmingham who has allowed six goals in 11 games. Three of the four goals scored against the Hoosiers were by Top 10 teams.\nThe anchor of the defense, Rogers, leads the nation in individual gaa average for a goalkeeper. His .40 average ties him for second place on the single season record list.\n"Our defense has been exceptional over the past few games," Yeagley said. "This reminds me a lot of that streak we had in 1998 when we had five straight shutouts on our way to an NCAA championship ... It is good to see other people putting goals in the net."\nHammer said there is plenty of credit to go around for the recent defensive success.\n"A big part of our team is that our defense starts up front with our forwards and then works itself back," Hammer said. "That's the biggest thing that our team focuses on -- a team defense. It's definitely not just the guys in the back, it is our whole team"
(10/11/01 4:06am)
In this day and age, it has become seemingly commonplace for star high school athletes to forgo their college career for the money and fame in the pros. This happens in baseball, basketball and even football. \nBut soccer?\nFreshman Ned Grabavoy Jr. had that opportunity. Grabavoy turned down professional offers from Germany and Holland, as well as scholarships from Virginia and UCLA, to come play for the Hoosiers and coach Jerry Yeagley. \n"Ned was well-known since he was 15 as one of the top players in the region," Yeagley said. "We were very pleased when he decided to go to college. Players like him don't come around very often."\n Amid high expectations, Grabavoy's collegiate career began on a sour note. \nToward the end of the first day of practice, Grabavoy broke his foot by fracturing his second, third and fourth metatarsals. After about eight weeks of rehabilitation, Grabavoy entered the final two minutes of the Butler match last Thursday, in which Yeagley earned his 500th victory. Yeagley said Grabavoy is expected to see his first substantial amount of playing time this weekend, as the team travels to Wisconsin and Northwestern.\n"We are taking him with us," Yeagley said. "We'll see how many minutes he gets. He won't be starting, but hopefully as the season goes on and he gets more match-fit, we can move him into a starting position." \nGrabavoy said it might take time to return to form, but is optimistic his return will be a success.\n"I'm a little rusty and it'll be tough getting back into shape, but I hope i'll be able to contribute instantly," he said. "Coaches think I can, and I think I can, so anything else would be a disappointment." \nBefore coming to IU, Grabavoy was a midfielder and a forward for Lincoln-Way High School in Illinois. In his junior and senior year at Lincoln-Way, Grabavoy scored a combined 79 goals and 23 assists, in 53 games, leading his team to a record of 54-2-2 in those seasons. \nIn addition to captaining the under-18 national team and earning PARADE All American honors, Grabavoy was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of American National Player of the Year for his senior season.\nAfter dominating high school soccer, Grabavoy said he is adjusting to the next level.\n"It's a lot different (than high school)," Grabavoy said. "The intensity is high all game. There is never a point where it drops and everyone is able to relax. It is also harder playing against older people with a lot more experience." \n"Ned is the kind of player that when the ball gets to him, good, exciting, things happen," Yeagley said. "He has an awareness that not many players have. Seems to know where his teammates are so he can make those passes, those Larry Bird-type passes, that make you say 'gosh, how did he see that?'"\nListed at 5 feet 7 and 155 pounds, Grabavoy proves you do not have to be big in stature to be successful on the field.\n"In soccer, a low center of gravity is not a bad thing," Yeagley said. "When he's got the ball at his feet he is tough, he can play 6 feet tall. When you watch him on the field without the ball, you think 'is that really a great player', but when he gets the ball at his feet, you know pretty quickly."\nFellow freshman and starting midfielder Danny O'Rourke has been playing with Grabavoy for the last five years on regional and national teams. \n"What makes him better is that he is smarter," O'Rourke said. "He keeps the ball and seldom loses it. There is something about him that is different. He just plays smooth."\nWhen asked to compare Grabavoy's potential with that of the many Hoosier great soccer players Yeagley replied, "He has the potential to be special, and I don't say that about too many people"
(10/04/01 5:46am)
Head coach Jerry Yeagley gets his first crack at his 500th win today as the men's soccer team plays Butler at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The game begins at 7 p.m.\nThe Bulldogs come into tonight's game 2-5-0 after defeating Western Kentucky in their last match. IU holds a 10-1 career series edge against Butler, outscoring the Bulldogs 36-6. \nDespite IU's dominance overall against the rival, Yeagley said he does not think his 500th win will come easily. \n"You can throw out the records when we play Butler," Yeagley said. "The Bulldogs are our in-state rival and they certainly are not intimidated by us. It scares us that they are coming in here after scoring five goals in a game. They seem to have their offense clicking."\nPowering the offense for Butler are junior forwards Michael Mariscalco and Nick Pantazi, who each scored two goals last weekend. Last year, Mariscalco led Butler with 25 points, while Pantazi finished with 24 points. \nOn the Hoosier offensive side, junior National Player of the Year candidate Pat Noonan has been scoring everything in sight. Noonan registered 12 points in the last three games, putting in five of his nine attempts. For the third consecutive week, Noonan was named Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week, the first time anyone has earned the award three consecutive times.\n"Our offense is coming around because we are more confident," Noonan said. "We are going out there knowing that we can score. Our midfield has done a nice job. Phil Presser and Vijay Dias are pushing the ball and are much more active in the offense."\nCombing with the offenses recent surge, the IU defense has been solid all year, allowing only four goals. In the second half, the defensive unit of seniors Ryan Hammer and Josh Rife, and junior John Swann along with senior goalie Colin Rogers have not allowed a single goal.\n"Last year our defense was questioned," Swann said. "This year we have been playing as one. We know each other so well, and our confidence is high. Right now we have the mind-set that we can shut out the best teams in the country."\n"Our whole team defends," Rogers added. "It starts out with (freshman Mike Ambersley) and (Noonan) up top, and then we defend all the way back. We are playing great defense right now."\nYeagley stressed that his 500th win is not just his accomplishment.\n"When I reach 500 victories, it will be 500 victories for Indiana soccer," he said. "All of the coaches, former players and staff that worked with the program should celebrate 500 wins, not just Jerry Yeagley. And those members of the club team that nearly 80 games before soccer was a varsity sport are a big part of these 500 wins. They were the pioneers that set the foundation for this program"
(10/01/01 5:25am)
The men's soccer game Friday night against Penn State was hyped as a clashing of the Titans on two levels. \nFirst was the meeting of two nationally ranked conference powerhouses. Second was the meeting of two of the country's National Player of the Year candidates -- IU junior Pat Noonan and Penn State senior Ricardo Villar. Each battle lived up to its hype, as two goals and an assist for Noonan pushed the No. 6 Hoosiers past the No. 8 Nittany Lions, 3-1.The win gave IU head coach Jerry Yeagley No. 499 of his career.\nAfter a very physical start and a several near goals for the Hoosier offense, Penn State drew first blood at the 33:45 mark. A Villar pass found the head of freshman midfielder Gabe Bernstein and shot into the goal to give Penn State the early 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, IU responded. Freshman J.D. Johnston served a corner-kick to Noonan on the near side. The ball skipped off Noonan's head to senior Ryan Hammer who redirected the ball into the back of the net, tying the game going into halftime. \n"I think the biggest thing is after they scored their goal, we didn't put our heads down," Hammer said. "So I think it was real key that we kept fighting and getting that goal. It was a 0-0 game going back into the locker room."\nThough the score was tied, Yeagley was not concerned at halftime.\n"I told the guys at halftime this is 1-1 and this is a heck of a game," Yeagley said. "I said I'm enjoying this, and I hope you are. I thought that was our best first-half performance of the year, and I wasn't looking at the score, I was looking at the way we were playing." \nA revitalized IU team took the field in the second half. Just 46 seconds into the half, freshman Danny O'Rourke found a streaking Noonan on the left side of midfield. Noonan dribbled behind the Penn State defenders, finding himself in a one-on-one fast break with Penn State goalie, Eric Earnhardt. When Earnhardt came out of the goal to cut off Noonan's angle, Noonan took a shot well to the right of Earnhardt, and seemingly to the right of the goal post. The ball bounced once and quickly cut directions into the right side of the net, giving IU what would end up being the winning goal. \n"I saw (Earnhardt) was leaning towards the near post," Noonan said of his shot. "As far out as I was, I thought I could bend it around him on the wet ground." Noonan built upon the lead when he sent a direct kick from 30 yards out past the arms of Earnhardt, giving him his fifth point of the match. \n"I think our offense is really starting to click," Hammer said. "Guys are starting to gel as a team,we have good chemistry, and everyone is just going out there having fun. We are playing with pride and it's starting to show." \nFollowing Villar's assist in the first half, he had a hard time breaking through the IU defense, managing only one shot the entire match.\nSenior goalkeeper Colin Rogers, who posted three saves in the evening, credits his defensive unit for limiting Penn State to one goal. \n"Hammer, (junior John Swann), (senior Josh Rife), and the others did an unbelievable job against some unbelievable players," Rogers said. "Anytime you have two All-Americans attacking the goal it's going to take the best effort from the whole defense to shut them down, and we did a great job of that. The guys really picked me up tonight"