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(02/20/06 4:46am)
Neither cold weather nor University of Oklahoma pitching could cool down the Hoosier bats as the IU women's softball team opened its season at the OU/Nike Classic on Friday.\nIn two games, the Hoosiers combined for six home runs, out-hit the Sooners 30-21 and scored 19 runs. Despite the offensive outburst, the Hoosiers went 0-1-1 against No. 10 Oklahoma. Because of inclement weather, the weekend games against the University of Nevada were cancelled.\nDespite not getting the desired results, IU coach Stacey Phillips said she was pleased with the Hoosier effort.\n"It's always great to see your team be unfazed by big scoring innings and be able to bounce back," Phillips said. "It was good for our pitchers to know they could get support from the offense. That's something we haven't had in awhile."\nOklahoma came out swinging in the first game of the doubleheader, putting three runs on the scoreboard in the opening inning. The Hoosier offense responded with two home runs in the bottom of the first inning by senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado and sophomore infielder Jennilee Huddleston. The Sooners recorded two straight outs to end the Hoosier inning.\nOklahoma blew open the game with a seven-run fifth inning to take a 10-3 lead. The Hoosiers added five runs of their own to make the game 10-8. While the Hoosiers had chances in the remaining innings, the Sooners held on for a 10-8 victory. Phillips said she was happy to see her team perform well against such a quality opponent, but wished the Hoosiers could have closed the deal after playing well.\n"It gives them a taste of what's ahead," Phillips said. "Had we played better defense, we could have done better in the first game. We have to make sure we are solid on our defense. We need to attack more with our defense."\nIn the second game, the Hoosiers took an early 2-0 lead in the third inning from a single from freshman second baseman Sarah Padove. Oklahoma charged to an 11-8 lead entering the final inning of the contest. Trailing by three, senior outfielder Lauren Hines tied the game with a three-run homerun to send the game to extra innings. Because of poor weather, the game ended in a tie.\nThe offensive production was a good sign for the Hoosiers, who entered the season saying their offense was their weakness.\n"We have focused on fixing holes in our swing," Hines said. "We want to attack pitches and we've been doing a good job so far this season."\nProving it can hang with one of the best teams in the country was important for an IU team coming off a 13-41 season.\n"It gave us a lot of confidence," Hines said. "We played against one of the best teams in the nation and this will give us a lot of confidence going into next weekend."\nThe Hoosiers return to action next weekend in Tampa, Fla., looking to build on this weekend's performance and correct some of the mistakes made during the opening weekend of play.\n"Knowing that they had played nine games before us and we were able to give them tough games gives us confidence," junior infielder Rachel Terry said. "We still need to work on defense as a team"
(02/17/06 4:59am)
The IU softball team starts its season this weekend in McKinney, Texas, with one thing on its mind -- backpacks.\nThe Hoosiers are not thinking about the run-of-the-mill North Face backpacks seen around campus, but special backpacks reserved for the participants of the Big Ten Tournament -- something the Cream and Crimson have not competed in since 1997.\n"Our No. 1 goal is to make the Big Ten Tournament," IU coach Stacey Phillips said. "We haven't been to the tournament since 1997, and that's way too long -- it's unacceptable... We have the talent and we certainly have the pitching."\nDespite the long postseason drought, Phillips said she knows the team is anxious to prove it is one of the best in the Big Ten.\n"It's amazing how many people know what I mean when I say you get the Big Ten backpack," Phillips said. "They haven't gotten their Big Ten backpacks, and that's what they want to get. It's something small and minute, but it symbolizes what you've been trying to do all year."\nPhillips enters her second season as head coach without the interim title she held last season while leading the Hoosiers to a 13-41 overall record and a 2-18 mark in conference play. During her two seasons, Phillips has compiled an experienced coaching staff.\n"They have retaught everything and everyone is so much better," senior outfielder Lauren Hines said. "We are so much more excited to work even harder because we are learning to play softball in a whole new way."\nThe team will be anchored by a three-pronged pitching attack composed of seniors Mariangee Bogado and Megan Roark and junior Christy Whal. The three hurlers combined to strike out 282 batters last season. Success for the Hoosiers starts from the pitching circle, Phillips said.\n"Pitching is going to be a huge key for us," Phillips said. "We have a lot of experience in the pitching circle which is a good thing to have with a young team, because at least we are going to have the pitchers to keep us in the game."\nThe Hoosiers will have to overcome inexperience in the infield with three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior taking the majority of responsibilities.\n"We are still very young on the team," Phillips said. "We've had the chance to mold the team the way we want to, and so far the players have reacted in a very positive manner. They come to practice and want to work very hard every day."\nThe three seniors have experienced hard times the past three seasons, and they will be called upon to help usher the underclassmen through the ups and downs of a collegiate softball season. \n"I think with the veterans, they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly," Phillips said. "They are able to vocalize the team, and they are good teachers of the game."\nAfter the Oklahoma OU/Nike Classic, the Hoosiers will be on the road for the next four weeks playing in various tournaments.\nWhile the Hoosiers are focused on taking one game at a time, they still have one goal in mind -- getting their backpacks.\n"I want that so bad," junior outfielder Abby Page said. "I've wanted it every single day, every single practice since I've been here as a freshman. I want that more than anything else in the world"
(01/27/06 5:26am)
The IU Student Foundation has approved a rule that will allow certain Category 1 and 2 riders to appeal for a spot in this year's Little 500.\nThe Amateur Status Modification Rule provides Category 1 and 2 riders the chance to race one final Little 500 if the student entered IU without any advanced cycling experience and has two years of Little 500 experience. After upgrading, the rider will retain one year of eligibility, which must be used the following year, and that rider must participate with the team he or she raced with the previous year. Any rider who wants to upgrade must submit an appeal to Little 500 Race Coordinator Lucas Calhoun, who will have the final say on whether the rider is eligible.\n"The rule helps prevent illegal recruiting," Calhoun said. "It truly rewards riders who come to IU with no experience."\nUSA Cycling rates cyclists on a scale from one to five. Cyclists classified as a Category 1 or 2 are considered professional-level racers and have been banned from the Little 500 since the early 1990s.\nThe rule change was proposed in the spring of 2005 by the Riders' Council. After deliberation with staff, alumni and current riders, the current form of the Amateur Status Modification was crafted. The 2006 Riders' Council approved the change by an 18-4 vote.\nCategory 2 rider Steve Ballinger, of Team Major Taylor, will not be assisted by the new rule, as he entered IU as a Category 3 rider. Ballinger has expressed his opposition to the rule, saying it will adversely affect his team.\nBut for this season, the new rule most notably affects senior Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen. Last season's most valuable rider, Arnesen upgraded from a Category 3 to a Category 2 during the summer. With the new rule change, Arnesen can potentially be eligible to add the Little 500 championship to his long list of awards and recognitions if his appeal is granted by Calhoun, who declined to comment on the status of Arnesen because he said he has not reviewed Arnesen's records from USA Cycling.\n"I am very excited to have another chance to race," Arnesen said of the rule change. "I love the Little 500."\nIn response to critics of the rule, Arnesen, who also serves as the president of the Riders' Council, said the new rule will allow riders to get better while still maintaining eligibility for the Little 500. There is little difference between a good Category 3 rider and a Category 2 rider, and this rule will prevent teams from recruiting Category 3 riders, he said.\n"You don't suddenly get Jedi powers by upgrading," Arnesen said. "It's just a number."\nSome people are suspicious about the timing of the rule change and Arnesen being named president of the Riders' Council.\n"What was IUSF trying to accomplish by making Hans the president of the Riders' Council?" Kappa Alpha Theta coach and former Acacia coach Tom Schwoegler said. "Did they not realize that would cause a firestorm?"\nBut Calhoun disputes the notion some critics have that this rule was made specifically for Arnesen.\n"Hans was not a factor in this change," Calhoun said. "It was a natural progression of the race after many discussions. It was just a timing thing."\nWhile the new rule may initially be criticized by some, Calhoun said he believes it will improve the Little 500 for years to come.\n"My role is to make this race better," Calhoun said. "There may be detractors, but this will enhance the race. We may not see results immediately, but this is what's best for the future of the Little 500"
(01/24/06 6:11am)
The proposal has come under scrutiny because it will make Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen eligible again for the race after he gained Category 2 status this summer. While Arnesen will be eligible, Team Major Taylor rider Steve Ballinger, also a Category 2 rider, will not be allowed to participate because he enrolled at IU as a Category 3 rider.\nBallinger said the proposed rule does not provide an even playing field for every team in the race.\n"I think it's quite unjust," Ballinger said. "The team that is affected most by this is Team Major Taylor."\nUnder the proposed rule, because Arnesen enrolled at IU as a Category 5 rider, he will be able to ride, while his fellow Category 2 rider, Ballinger, can only watch from the stands.\n"Everyone should be equal," Ballinger said. "What I don't understand is Hans can race (if the rule passes) and I can't. I am disappointed."\nCritics say the rule will be changed because of Arnesen instead of what is best for the Little 500. Arnesen's position as president of the Riders' Council has only reinforced this belief, said current Kappa Alpha Theta coach and former Acacia coach Tom Schwoegler. \n"To me, that was the big flag up the flag pole was when Hans became the president of the Riders' Council," Schwoegler said. "It is being handled poorly by the IUSF. I think if you are making a rule change, you should throw it out there and see what people think."\nThe IUSF said a proposal was submitted by the Riders' Council in the spring of 2005, and it is still in the review process. A decision will be made before this year's race, IUSF Director Rob Rhamy said via e-mail. The IUSF declined further comment.\nIn response to critics of the proposed rule change, Arnesen said the change had been discussed before this year, and it is not coming up solely because he is currently ineligible.\n"Anyone who says that doesn't know the history of the Little 500," Arnesen said. "There has been talk to change the Category 2 rule since it came into place. The rule was proposed last year and now is finally coming to a decision."\nWhile rumor and speculation surround the proposed change, a final ruling has yet to be rendered.\n"The Riders' Council has talked about the rule," Arnesen said. "The final decision will come shortly."\nTo Schwoegler, the proposed change does not treat all riders in the race fairly.\n"The rules need to be applied consistently," Schwoegler said. "If this rule is applied, Hans will have an advantage and it will not be fair. All we want is for things to be fair. To me, it's not a Hans thing; you just want people to be smarter than that"
(12/09/05 6:07am)
For the first time in three seasons, the IU men's soccer team will not be the NCAA champion.\nWhile college soccer's national champion will be crowned this weekend at the College Cup, the Hoosiers can only reflect upon a season full of "what ifs." Notre Dame knocked the Cream and Crimson out of the second round of the NCAA tournament Nov. 22. The 2-0 defeat marked the earliest exit in the NCAA tournament for the Hoosiers since 1995.\n"It was a good season," senior midfielder Brian Plotkin said. "We played some of the best soccer that's ever been played here at IU. We were just unlucky to not move further than we did."\nThe Hoosiers had high hopes heading into the Big Ten season after starting the season with two tournament victories at the Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic and the Oregon State Classic. However, two games into the Big Ten campaign, the Hoosiers fell to fifth place in the conference with a tie against Michigan State and an overtime loss to Penn State.\nThe Hoosiers captured the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten tournament and won their first two games to set a rematch against Penn State. The Hoosiers dominated the game, but a late goal by Penn State gave the Nittany Lions the championship.\n"Little breakdowns hurt us," said sophomore Chris Munroe. "(The mistakes) start small and they end up in the back of the net. We give up goals that we shouldn't as a team -- it starts from the forwards and ends with me. We have to pay attention to little details."\nHoosier players had more than their fair share of laurels during the season. The Big Ten named Plotkin its Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten. Freshman forward Lee Nguyen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, while garnering Big Ten All-Freshman team and First Team All-Big Ten honors. Junior forward Jacob Peterson joined Plotkin and Nguyen, who recently hired an agent, on the first team. Senior midfielder Jordan Chirico and junior defender Jed Zayner were named to the Second Team All-Big Ten.\nSenior Mike Ambersley and Plotkin were also awarded a spot in the Major League Soccer draft combine for this January. \n"I am excited and a little sad about moving on to the MLS," Plotkin said. "I wish I was still playing this weekend before I moved on."\nWhile the Hoosiers could potentially start next season with six new starters, head coach Mike Freitag said he is excited about the future of IU soccer.\n"I'm going to love my team next year," Freitag said. "They may not be 'talented,' but we may be more effective. It may not be as pretty, but it will be effective."\n- IDS staff writer Steve Slivka contributed to this story.
(11/28/05 3:31pm)
There will be no three-peat for the IU men's soccer team.\nNot only did the No. 3 Hoosiers' season end while the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard in a 2-0 loss to Notre Dame last Tuesday, so did IU's 10-game NCAA tournament winning streak.\nFor the third time in the history of IU soccer, the cream and crimson entered the NCAA tournament as the two-time defending champions. For the third time, the Hoosiers were unable to win a third straight national title. While IU failed to win a third title in their previous two attempts (1984 and 2000), the Hoosiers made the College Cup in those seasons before bowing out of the tournament.\nThe loss in the second round is the earliest the Hoosiers have been knocked out of the tournament since Butler defeated IU 1-0 in the first round of the 1995 tournament. The Hoosiers failed to advance to the College Cup for only the second time in the last nine seasons.\nA trio of senior midfielders -- Mike Ambersley, Jordan Chirico and Brian Plotkin -- wrapped up their decorated careers at IU in the loss to the Irish. During their four seasons in Bloomington, the cream and crimson recorded a record of 64-14-14, won three regular season Big Ten championships, two Big Ten Tournament championships and two NCAA championships.\n"I feel sad for them (the seniors)," IU head coach Mike Freitag said. "They've done some things a lot of other guys have never done. They've been to championships, and it's a shame we won't be fighting for it again this year."\nThe seniors have also had their share of personal success during their careers at IU. Amberley won co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year and scored the go-ahead goal in the penalty shootout in last season's NCAA championship game. Chirico was named academic All-Big Ten his sophomore year. Plotkin has been awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Year, named first team All-Big Ten three times, won Big Ten Player of the Year this season and is a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. Plotkin gained 76 points in his career, putting him 23rd on the all-time Hoosier points list.\n"It's tough to end your Hoosier career with a loss," Ambersley said. "I've had some of the greatest moments in my soccer career playing with this group of seniors. They are some of my best friends and I will keep those friends forever."\nWhile the Hoosiers will miss the senior class, the team has the talent returning to continue the high level of play expected of IU soccer teams next season, Freitag said.\n"We will regroup and use his hurt feeling to refuel our commitment to excellence," Freitag said. "We are looking forward to getting back to work when we can"
(11/28/05 3:31pm)
The IU men's soccer team bowed out of the NCAA tournament with a 2-0 loss against in-state rival Notre Dame Tuesday night. \n"Soccer is an honest game," IU coach Mike Freitag said. "It is a cruel game at times, but an honest game. I thought tonight we played a very good opponent who worked hard. I thought my team played well, but not well enough to win."\nThe Irish beat the Hoosiers for the first time in the NCAA tournament, but for the third time under head coach Bobby Clark.\n"We have beaten them before, but that was in the regular season," Clark said. "It's nice to make a statement in a game that really meant a lot to both teams."\nClark said IU handed the Irish one of the worst beatings of the season Oct. 26 when the Hoosiers won 3-0 in South Bend.\n"A lot of people in the soccer world will look up, especially after they came to our place and gave us a hiding," Clark said. "Let's not kid anybody about that. Three weeks ago they gave us a comprehensive beating, so it was nice to come back to their place."\nThe Hoosiers opened the game with several scoring chances in the early minutes. In the forth minute, freshman forward Lee Nguyen took a shot toward the right corner from a pass from junior midfielder Josh Tudela, which Irish goalkeeper Chris Cahill deflected away for a corner kick.\nTwo minutes later, freshman midfielder Brad Ring created a couple of opportunities when he fired a shot from 18 yards away and then sent the rebound back across the goal to senior midfielder Mike Ambersley who sent the ball wide of the post.\nThe final Hoosier scoring chance of the first half came when senior midfielder Jordan Chirico found senior midfielder and Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy candidate Brian Plotkin cutting towards goal. Plotkin passed the ball to Nguyen, who sent the ball over the crossbar. The first half ended with the teams deadlocked 0-0.\nTen minutes into the second half, the Irish got on the scoreboard off a counterattack when forward Justin McGeeney headed in a cross from midfielder Ian Etherington.\n"I think I got lost in transition," sophomore defender Greg Stevening said. "I thought Julian (Dieterle) was going to have it, but the ball sailed over him. It caught us off guard."\nFive minutes later, IU had a chance to equalize, but Cahill denied a Plotkin header on a cross from Nguyen. In the 62nd minute, the Irish iced the game when forward Joe Lapira chipped the ball over sophomore goalie Chris Munroe to give Notre Dame the 2-0 lead. Failing to capitalize on opportunities haunted the Hoosiers. IU out shot the Irish 16-12 and had a 6-5 advantage on corner kicks for the game, but in the end their efforts were not enough to advance, Freitag said.\n"I'm sad," Freitag said. "I love my team. I loved the way they played"
(11/15/05 4:46am)
One day after losing the Big Ten Championship, the IU men's soccer team received good news as the NCAA tournament selection committee awarded the Hoosiers the No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. IU plays the winner of the Notre Dame-Western Illinois game Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Armstrong Stadium.\n"I am very happy with the No. 3 seed," IU coach Mike Freitag said. "We were hoping with our performance this year with only two losses that we would show we were deserving of a top three seed. It is very satisfying."\nThe Hoosiers packed City Grille to watch the selection show yesterday evening on ESPNEWS. The team remained confident it would be named a top four seed, but its Big Ten Championship loss to Penn State still left some doubt.\nAfter 15 minutes, ESPNEWS went to commercial break without announcing IU's seed. The restless team booed once the commercial break ended and ESPNEWS cut to an interview with Alex Rodriguez before releasing the rest of the tournament field.\nWhen the Rodriguez interview ended, ESPNEWS announced the Hoosiers as the No. 3 seed. The room filled with the players' yelling and screaming, excited they would have home games until the College Cup in Cary, N.C.\n"We are so happy," junior defender Jed Zayner said. "It's nice to know that we will be back at home. We play our best at home, especially in the tournament. We don't lose at home in the tournament."\nThe other three seeded teams in the Hoosiers' bracket are No. 6 Duke, No. 11 Penn State and No. 14 North Carolina State. Duke and N.C. State are two of eight teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference -- an NCAA tournament record for most entries.\n"(In) college soccer there is so much parity these days," Freitag said. "It means that all these teams here can beat anybody on a given day. So we will go and prepare for the game next Tuesday, and we'll see who comes out of the game between Notre Dame and Western Illinois."\nThe other top four seeds are No. 1 Maryland, No. 2 New Mexico and No. 4 North Carolina.\n"I feel very confident with this team that we can play with anybody," Freitag said. "I haven't seen a team yet that I fear, but I respect all teams out there. I know the capability of my team, and I feel very confident that we can have a good run."\nThe Hoosiers could potentially face Penn State in the quarterfinals if both teams win their first two games. The Nittany Lions are the only team that has beaten IU this season. The only silence during the entire show came when ESPN analyst Eric Wynalda said Penn State was the only team in the tournament not afraid of the Hoosiers and predicted the Nittany Lions to advance to the College Cup from their bracket.\n"It's a long way off," senior midfielder Jordan Chirico said. "If they are going to have to come to Bloomington and try it again, I don't see it happening. I'm pretty confident. We like our draw."\nHeading into the tournament, Freitag said he feels the team is ready to peak after taking time to find its identity during the regular season.\n"I knew going into the season that it was going take time for this team to really get to where it can play to its potential," he said. "Some of those ties are indicators of lessons we learned. Ever since the Notre Dame game, I've felt very good how my team is playing"
(11/14/05 5:34am)
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Coming out of halftime with the score tied 0-0, the IU men's soccer team outshot Penn State nine to one in the second half of the Big Ten men's soccer championship Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, one shot was all Penn State needed to win the title 1-0.\nWith three minutes remaining in the game, Penn State forward Jason Yeisley converted Penn State's lone shot in the second half when his shot sailed over IU sophomore goalkeeper Chris Munroe to give the Nittany Lions the title.\nThe No. 2 (National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll) Hoosiers walked off the field empty-handed after failing to score on one of several opportunities during the game.\n"To win games you've got to score goals," IU coach Mike Freitag said. "We created chances, but unfortunately we didn't finish them today."\nFor the game, IU outshot Penn State 18 to seven and held a nine to zero advantage in corner kicks. The cream and crimson controlled the pace of the game, keeping the ball on the Nittany Lion side of the field for most of the contest.\nThe best chance for the Hoosiers in the first half came in the 44th minute when senior forward Brian Plotkin received the ball from a freshman Lee Nguyen corner kick. Plotkin, a Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy candidate, struck a shot with the outside of his left foot, which sailed just over the crossbar.\nThe Hoosier offense continued to knock on the door in the second half. In the 57th minute, IU had three consecutive corner kicks, but the Nittany Lion defense kept the Hoosiers from converting.\nNine minutes later, Nguyen found himself on a breakaway with Penn State goalkeeper Conrad Taylor. Nguyen took a hard shot to the corner, but Taylor came up with the save to preserve the 0-0 tie. \n"Their goalie came up with two huge saves in the second half," Nguyen said. "It happens sometimes. I guess today just wasn't our day."\nThe final Hoosier opportunity came in the 82nd minute when junior forward and MAC Hermann Trophy candidate Jacob Peterson had his shot from the inside of the penalty box saved by Taylor.\nDespite creating an offensive advantage by controlling the game, the Hoosier offense could not get the ball past Taylor. The first team All-Big Ten selection made nine saves while recording his ninth shutout of the season. \nTaylor was named most valuable defensive player of the Big Ten tournament.\n"I had confidence in our defense and myself. I wasn't worried while they were coming after us," Taylor said. "Obviously it's pretty nerve-wracking being in the position where they keep getting chances with the game tied."\nThe only other loss for IU this season came when Penn State defeated the Hoosiers 2-1 Sept. 30. In the previous match, the Hoosiers also had large advantages in shots and corners. The Hoosiers bounced back from the earlier loss with a four-game winning streak. The team hopes to repeat that success once the NCAA tournament begins.\n"We would have liked to win," Peterson said. "(Losing) is just another hurdle that we need to move on from. Hopefully we can pick it back up in the tournament"
(11/11/05 3:16pm)
On the same day that Brian Plotkin was named Big Ten Player of the Year and Lee Nguyen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Hoosiers advanced to the second round of the Big Ten tournament.\nWithout the services of Plotkin, the team's leader in points, the IU men's soccer team relied on other veteran leaders to advance into the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament with a 2-0 victory over Wisconsin Thursday afternoon. Plotkin was serving a one-game suspension for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Akron during a Nov. 3 game.\nSenior midfielder Jordan Chirico, junior forward Jacob Peterson and freshman foward Lee Nguyen picked up the offensive responsibilities left by Plotkin, a senior midfielder. \n"I thought we came out and played very well in the first half," IU coach Mike Frietag said. "We cruised a bit in the second half, but we were able to pull out the win."\nThe Hoosiers (12-1-6) will look to redeem themselves Friday when they play Ohio State in the semifinals 19 days after IU tied the Buckeyes in "one of the most disappointing games" of Freitag's career.\nSince the tie, the Hoosiers have compiled a record of 3-0-1 and have risen to No. 2 in the coaches' poll. During that stretch, the cream and crimson knocked off previously unbeaten No. 1 Akron and had a three-goal comeback in the final 17 minutes at Maryland, the current No. 1 team in the nation.\nAfter the first game with the Buckeyes, the Hoosiers know they cannot take any opponent lightly.\n"If we get up this time there is no way we are going to give it up," Chirico said. "Now we are in the Big Ten Tournament so there is a lot more on the line."\nIn the quarterfinal victory over Wisconsin, Chirico put the Hoosiers on the scoreboard 13 minutes into the game when he slid the ball under the Badger goalkeeper on a give-and-go play from Nguyen. It was the third goal for Chirico this season and the 12th assist for Nguyen during his rookie campaign, breaking the IU freshman record held by assistant coach Todd Yeagley.\n"It is an honor to get the record," Nguyen said. "I'm just glad to play on a team with such good players who can finish. It's easy when you know they will produce."\nIU had several chances to extend its lead before halftime. With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, senior forward Mike Ambersley played a ball to freshman Kevin Noschang, who pushed the ball to sophomore defender Charley Traylor. Badger goalkeeper Jake Settle denied Traylor's shot from finding the top left corner of the goal.\nThe Hoosiers withstood three dangerous scoring chances by the Badgers in the second half to hold onto the one goal lead. In the final minute of play, Peterson iced the game with an 18-yard shot on a pass from Ambersley. Peterson's 10th goal of the season moved him into a tie for 19th place on the all-time Hoosier career goal list.\nThe IU defense recorded its 12th shutout in 19 games this season as the Hoosiers out-shot the Badgers 12-5. The IU defense is ranked sixth in the nation for shutout percentage and ranks 15th in goals allowed per game, giving up .67 goals per contest.\n"The defense played very well for us tonight," sophomore goalie Chris Munroe said. "In the second half they played especially well when (Wisconsin) threw so many people at us trying to get the equalizer."\nWith two games left before the NCAA tournament, the Hoosiers are trying to prove to the selection committee that they are worthy of a top-four seed once the tournament begins Nov. 20. A Big Ten Championship would all but secure the home field advantage that comes with the sought after seeding.\n"We are gunning for a Big Ten Championship because what it can do for us (with NCAA seeding)," Munroe said. "However, right now we are focused on Ohio State. They tied us at our place so we know it's going to be a tough contest"
(11/04/05 5:11am)
A dream game for senior Brian Plotkin ended on a sour note as the midfielder will miss the first game of the Big Ten tournament Thursday. When center referee Abiodun Okulaja gave Plotkin a yellow card in the 68th minute it meant more than getting Plotkin's name in the ref's book. For his fifth yellow card of the season, Plotkin must serve a one-game suspension. \n"It's disappointing. I didn't mean to get the guy like I did. We made the same angle at the run and I tried to get around him," Plotkin said. "I'm not going to be able to play, but I will still be up there for the first (game) leading the team from the bench. Hopefully they can get a win so I can help us out in the semis."\nThe Missouri Athletic Club Herman Trophy candidate leads the Hoosiers with 25 points this season on eight goals and nine assists. Plotkin will be absent from the Hoosier starting lineup for the first time since his freshman year.\n"It's a shame, but someone will step up in his place and we'll go on," IU head coach Mike Freitag said.\nSeconds after Plotkin scored the game winning goal, 'Da Superfans led the student charge on the field to celebrate the Hoosier victory.\n"That was unbelievable," senior midfielder Jordan Chirico said. "In my four years I've never seen them rush the field like that. To have that support makes us want to go all the way again because we know they are behind us. To have them jump on us, cheering and going crazy -- that doesn't happen many places. That's the Hoosier fans right there."\nThe 4,884 fans in attendance set the 6th highest total in IU men's soccer history. After leading the nation in average attendance last season, the Hoosiers have averaged 3,292 fans per contest this year.\n"Unbelievable," Freitag said about the Hoosier crowd. "There must be no homework tonight. What I liked about (the crowd) were the students. It seemed like there were more students than usual. People say soccer isn't an exciting sport, but we sure got a rise out of the students tonight."\nLast season's Missouri Athletic Club's Herman Trophy winner, Danny O'Rourke, attended last night's game to watch current Herman Trophy candidates Plotkin, junior forward Jacob Peterson and junior defender Jed Zayner spearhead the Hoosier victory.\nThe San Jose Earthquakes drafted O'Rourke with the fourth pick in the MLS Superdraft. He started 12 games in the defensive midfield for the Earthquakes last season.\nThe Hoosier victory impressed O'Rourke in his homecoming to Bill Armstrong Stadium to watch his former teammates.\n"I'm so proud of them," O'Rourke said. "People have been second guessing them all year, but the way they've played all year has made me proud to be an alum. I can't guarantee (a third straight championship), but I'm pretty positive they are going to do it"
(11/01/05 5:14am)
When the IU men's soccer team trailed by three goals with 17 minutes remaining, it took an 18-year-old freshman to bring the Hoosiers back.\nFor his efforts against Maryland and Notre Dame, College Soccer News named freshman forward Lee Nguyen as its National Player of the Week. Nguyen's two assists and one goal also earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.\nNguyen is the first to receive the honor since former Hoosier and current Major League Soccer player Ned Grabavoy won the award Oct. 13, 2003. Nguyen was also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week for the second time this season. It is the fifth time a Hoosier has been named to the team this season.\n"It feels good, but it's a team effort. I could not have played well without the team," Nguyen said. "It helps with (junior forward Jacob Peterson) finishing and (sophomore defender Greg Stevning) finishing on the corner kick. We played great defense in the second half, which made it all possible."\nNguyen netted the first goal against Notre Dame last Wednesday when he bent in a 25-yard free kick. The goal was Nguyen's fifth of the season and second game-winner.\nNguyen also spearheaded the Hoosier comeback in Saturday night's tie against Maryland. Trailing the Terrapins by three with 17 minutes left, Nguyen assisted junior forward Jacob Peterson and then a minute later crossed the ball into the Maryland penalty box where a Terrapin defender deflected the ball in for an own goal. The tying goal came on a Nguyen corner kick that found the Stevning's head with five seconds remaining in regulation. Nguyen leads the Big Ten with 10 assists and is one assist away from tying the Hoosier freshman record held by current assistant coach Todd Yeagley.\n"I think Lee has come on," IU coach Mike Freitag said. "He has found his niche with this team and feeling comfortable with the players around him. He's making some better decisions, playing a little bit quicker and not trying to do it all himself. I think when he was a kid in the youth level he had to do it all. He now knows he has good players around him, and he's now making better decisions because of that."\nFor Nguyen, the transition to college soccer has been easy because of the experience he gained playing in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup this summer.\n"It's been easy because I have been playing with the national team," Nguyen said. "There were a bunch of college and pro guys playing there so I got a little bit of a taste before I came here."\nWhile he is proud of being recognized for his impressive play last week, Nguyen and the Hoosiers have one thing on their minds heading into Thursday night's showdown with No. 1 Akron -- showing the country who the "real" No. 1 team is.\n"We are looking to make a statement to prove to everyone that we are No. 1," Nguyen said.
(10/31/05 5:59am)
For 89 minutes and 50 seconds Saturday night, the IU men's soccer team was again coming up short in a game it felt it should be winning.\nFor 89 minutes and 50 seconds, the University of Maryland thought it had figured out what it took to \nfinally beat the Hoosiers.\nFor 89 minutes and 50 seconds, a record crowd of 6,203 fans cheered on the Terrapins, anticipating one of the biggest regular season wins in school history.\nTen seconds later, everything had changed.\nIn the waning moments, sophomore defender Greg Stevning silenced the crowd when he headed the ball into the goal from a corner kick by freshman forward Lee Nguyen to tie the game at three.\nStevning's score capped a three-goal Hoosier comeback in the final 17 minutes of the game and sent the contest into overtime. The No. 5 Hoosiers and No. 3 Terrapins ended the game in a 3-3 tie.\n"Some people questioned the character of this team this season," said junior forward Jacob Peterson. "We showed against Maryland that we can three-peat after coming back against one of the best teams in the country."\nIU coach Mike Freitag hailed Maryland forward Justin Garey, who notched the first two Maryland goals in the first half, as Player of the Year. Seven minutes into the game, Garey drew first blood for the Terrapins after his bicycle kick found the lower left corner from 16 yards for his 17th goal of the season. In the 30th minute, Garey made it 2-0 when he squeezed the ball near post past IU sophomore goalkeeper Chris Munroe. Ten minutes later, Terrapin sophomore Stephen King scored to give Maryland the 3-0 lead heading into halftime.\nFreitag said he told the Hoosiers to keep their composure in the second half while facing the three-goal deficit.\n"I told them at halftime to go out there and play like they are -- like champions," said Frietag. "I told them to play with no fear in the second half and try to win the half to gain positive momentum."\nTwenty-eight minutes into the second half, the Hoosiers finally got on the scoreboard as Peterson finished a cross from Nguyen after the freshman beat a defender down the right side of the field.\n"It was a different IU team in the second half," said Nguyen. "It's great to see that we can come back against one of the best teams in the nation. If we played like we played in the second half the entire game there was no way they could have kept up with us. It was a huge tie for us."\nLess than two minutes later, Nguyen pulled the Hoosiers to within one goal when pass deflected off a Maryland defender. After several chances to tie the game, the Hoosiers finally drew even with Stevning's goal.\n"We were all just positive at halftime," Peterson said. "We believed we would come back in the second half. For the first 30 minutes (of the second half) we had chances but we couldn't put them away. Once we got that first goal we knew the next two would come."\nEach team had chances to score in the overtime periods, with the Hoosiers having a 4-2 advantage on shots during the extra periods. While the team didn't walk away with the victory, the grittiness the Hoosiers displayed pleased Freitag.\n"I don't think any team in the nation would be able to do what we did," Freitag said. "We came back against a good team in a hostile environment from three goals down and, really, I thought we should have won it in overtime. It was a game that didn't hurt either team -- and it showed us what we need to get better"
(10/28/05 4:52am)
The IU men's soccer team begins its final week before the postseason in an unfamiliar position -- the underdog.\nThe No. 5 Hoosiers travel to College Park, Md., to face No. 3 University of Maryland Saturday night, and welcome No. 1 University of Akron Thursday to wrap up the regular season and prepare for the defense of their national championship.\n"These are good games coming up," IU head coach Mike Freitag said. "Guys come to IU to play tough games and these are tough games. I'm hoping we will do well and that they will prepare us for the (NCAA) tournament."\nEach game gives IU a chance to show the NCAA tournament selection committee it is deserving of a top four seed in the NCAA tournament. The top four seeds in the tournament gain home field advantage until the College Cup in Cary, N.C.\n"These games could give us tons of momentum going into the tournament," sophomore defender Charley Traylor said. "Akron is No. 1 and Maryland is always a top 10 seed in the NCAA tournament. It is really going to help us get positive momentum going into the tournament."\nThree days after Freitag said the team played its best game of the season against Notre Dame, the Hoosiers face their final road contest of the season at Maryland. The Terrapins are one of the hottest teams in the nation as they are currently riding an eight-game winning streak in which they have defeated four ranked opponents.\n"They are an unbelievable team," senior midfielder Mike Ambersley said. "They got a lot of talent all over the field like we do at every position. It's going to be a battle. Last year they did not pressure us like a lot of other teams did. We had a lot of open space in the midfield, so we will look at some tape and figure them out."\nThe Terrapins are led by senior forward and Missouri Athletic Club Herman Award candidate Jason Garey. Garey, a third-team All-American selection last year, leads Maryland with 36 points on 16 goals and four assists on the season. Maryland currently is in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and with a win in its final conference game of the season, it would clinch the ACC regular season crown. The conference is considered the best in the nation this season -- seven of the nine ACC teams have been ranked at some point during the season.\n"Playing Maryland is just another step we need to take," junior midfielder John Michael Hayden said. "They are a ranked team, so that will be a good challenge. We are looking forward to it."\nWhile the Hoosiers begin to shift their focus from the regular season to the postseason, they are excited to gauge where they stand among the best in college soccer.\n"These games will show us where we are at," Ambersley said. "Playing two of the top three teams in the country is going to be fun ... hopefully we can get the results we want"
(10/26/05 4:42am)
The IU men's soccer team begins a two-game road trip tonight when it travels to South Bend to face in-state rival Notre Dame. The No. 5 Hoosiers understand the importance of a win over the Irish and are not looking past Notre Dame with games against No. 3 University of Maryland and No. 1 University of Akron on the horizon.\n"Notre Dame is always a tough opponent," sophomore defender Charley Traylor said. "They haven't had the best season, but it's a regional game so it's very important for our standings and the NCAA tournament, so we aren't taking them lightly."\nGoing into the final weeks of the regular season, the Hoosiers are looking to regain the No. 1 seed and a top four seed in the NCAA tournament. Locking up one of the top four spots would mean IU would not have to leave Armstrong Stadium before the College Cup.\n"Its going to be a tough game. It's a local game and a regional game so it's going to be important for us," junior defender Julian Dieterle said. "They are in need of a big win and it's always tough to go to South Bend so it should be a good game."\nThe Hoosiers (9-1-5) own a 22-3-1 overall advantage against the Irish (9-5-2) including a 2-0 victory last season in Bloomington. While the all-time advantage is overwhelmingly in favor of the Hoosiers, the two teams have split the last four contests. Notre Dame beat IU 1-0 the last time the Hoosiers went to South Bend 1-0.\n"Notre Dame is very good at home," IU head coach Mike Freitag said. "They are always a very well-organized team. They are hard to play -- they are not going to give you the game, you are going to have to earn it. That's what we are going to have to."\nPlaying a midweek game five hours away from Bloomington means the team will travel to South Bend in the afternoon and will fly back home after the game. While travel will be difficult, it will not affect the team's performance on the field, senior foward Brian Plotkin said. Plotkin, an MAC Herman Trophy candidate, leads the Hoosiers with nine assists on the season.\n"They are going to be organized so we are going to have to go out and compete with them," Plotkin said. Flying in on the day of the game will be something different for us, but we have to put all the obstacles aside, but it's just a 90-minute game and we have to go out there and find a way to win."\nThe game is being televised on ESPNU and is the third of four IU games on TV this year. The Hoosiers are 13-4-1 on television in the past eight years, however, the only IU defeat of the season came in front of a national television audience when Penn State beat the Hoosiers 2-1 on Sept. 30. Despite the coverage, the team is not shifting its focus from winning its 10th game of the season.\n"It is an in-state rivalry so they are going to bring their best against us like everyone does," senior midfielder Mike Ambersley said. "We have seen them play a few times this year and they have a good team. They have a solid offense and some new defenders in the back. It's going to be another battle"
(10/21/05 5:30am)
Although the IU men's soccer team held a 2-0 halftime advantage over Butler Wednesday night, head coach Mike Freitag was anything but content heading into the locker room. Freitag said he feels there have been times this season when players have not played up to the precedent set by former IU teams.\n"I wrote at halftime the number 76 -- that's how long I've been here, since '76," Freitag said. "I've seen what IU soccer is all about and I thought the last 15 minutes of the half felt like an IU soccer team. Sometimes you can have skill and think that's all you can get by on, but hustle and fight have to be there. If we aren't getting it from some other people I am going to get people on the field who can do it."\nNo. 6 IU will need to follow the lines of its lineage Sunday when it welcomes Ohio State to Bill Armstrong Stadium for the final Big Ten game of the season. For a present-day example of traditional IU play, the team looks to senior midfielder Mike Ambersley.\nWith the Hoosiers and Bulldogs tied Wednesday night, Freitag moved Ambersley to forward. Less than a minute later, the senior assisted on IU's first goal, opening the floodgates for a 6-0 Hoosier victory. Ambersley's ability to spark play all season has served as an example to the team, Freitag said.\n"I think Mike Ambersley has shown all year that he knows what it's all about," Freitag said. "I thought he was the one who really got us going."\nTeammates have also noticed the consistent performance and leadership Ambersley brings to the team every game.\n"Mikey has been playing amazing -- he's in shape and in good form right now," senior midfielder Jordan Chirico said. "He's getting the job done (up top). That's what we've got to go with."\nAmbersley and the Hoosiers can clinch the second seed in the Big Ten tournament with a win against the Buckeyes and a Michigan State loss or tie in their last two Big Ten games.\nThe Hoosiers have gone 5-0-1 since losing their only game this season to Penn State. Even though the team has rebounded from the loss, Freitag and the Hoosiers are not overlooking Ohio State.\n"They are a big physical team, which is sometimes a thing we don't do well against," Freitag said. "If we play smart and skillful and move the ball around those big guys can't keep up with the ball."\nWhile the Hoosier defense, allowing .60 goals per contest, is ranked 15th in the country, IU will look to its recent offensive success to carry the team. For the first time since 1997, IU has registered five games with five or more goals. Even with this offensive talent, the Hoosiers cannot be successful without a strong team work ethic.\n"You can't just get by on being a good player," Freitag said. "Every day you have to come with your lunch pail and work hard."\nWith powerhouse teams Notre Dame, Maryland and \nAkron waiting on the schedule, it makes the Ohio State game that much more important.\n"We need that win to be in second place in the Big Ten to make sure we get a good seed in the tournament," Chirico said. "And also, just to keep on a roll here. At the end of the year every year we start building up some wins in a row so it will be important to keep that going"
(10/20/05 4:43am)
When freshmen forward Kevin Noschang and midfielder Brad Ring entered last night's game against Butler, the IU men's soccer team had only attempted three shots and was tied with the visiting Bulldogs.\nWhen the halftime whistle blew 14 minutes later, the Hoosiers registered 12 shots and two goals on their way to a 6-0 victory.\n"I wasn't happy with the first 30 minutes," IU head coach Mike Freitag said. "We came back and the last 60 minutes we played like an IU team."\nSenior midfielder Mike Ambersley made an immediate impact when he moved to forward during the substitution. Less than a minute after the substitution, junior midfielder Josh Tudela crossed the ball from the left sideline into the penalty box. Ambersley headed the ball to senior midfielder Brian Plotkin, who netted his seventh goal of the season on a volley from 15 yards.\n"(Ambersley's) body twisted in all sorts of ways on that one," Plotkin said. "I don't know how he even got his head on that one to me. The goalie was a little off-center so I just put it past him."\nThe IU attack continued eight minutes later when senior midfielder Jordan Chirico headed a Plotkin cross into the net, giving the Hoosiers a 2-0 lead at halftime. Plotkin and freshman forward Lee Nguyen lead the Big Ten with seven assists apiece.\nThe Hoosiers controlled possession during the first part of the second half but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Junior forward Kevin Robson scored his second goal of the season 20 minutes into the second half when he chipped the ball over Butler goalkeeper Nick Hegeman from 15 yards.\nLess than a minute later, Ambersley joined in the scoring effort when he tapped in a Noschang pass for his fourth goal of the year.\n"I just try to get everyone involved, and they do a good job of getting me the ball," Ambersley said. "I just try to create, and when I have been going up front this year, good things have happened. Wherever I play I am just trying as hard as I can."\nIU rounded out the scoring with two late goals from junior midfielder John Michael Hayden and freshman Billy Weaver. The Hoosiers outshot the Bulldogs 24 to five and had two more corners than their in-state rival.\nSophomore Chris Munroe and freshman Chay Cain combined for the ninth Hoosiers shutout of the season. Munroe entered the game ranked 15th nationally in goals against average, allowing .60 goals per game.\n"Great defensive performance from all the guys tonight," Munroe said. "Especially the forwards and midfielders -- they really put the pressure on the Butler defenders and midfielders. We were able to create a lot of chances because of that pressure."\nThe Hoosiers have four games remaining in the regular season before postseason play begins, and the team wants to use these games as chances to improve its seeds in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. With a win Sunday against Big Ten foe Ohio State and a Michigan State loss or tie in their two remaining games, the Hoosiers would lock up the second seed in the Big Ten tournament.\n"We are trying to win every game from now on," Ambersley said. "We know if we can put together a winning streak we can get a top four seed (in the NCAA tournament), and that's huge come tournament time because we can get three games here at home. We are trying to play our best soccer, and we had a good start tonight"
(10/18/05 5:30am)
The Big Ten conference named senior midfielder Brian Plotkin its offensive player of the week Monday after the Lisle, Ill., native scored in each of the Hoosiers' two weekend games. Plotkin is the first repeat winner of the award this season, first earning the accolade Oct. 5.\nThe Hoosiers' co-captain scored on a 30-yard strike in Friday's win against Wisconsin and tallied IU's lone goal in the 30th minute against Northwestern. The Northwestern goal pushed Plotkin's season total to six, one behind team-leader junior forward Jacob Peterson. Plotkin leads the team in points with 18.\n"Brian is one of the top players in the country," IU head coach Mike Freitag said in a statement. "He played well this weekend. His engine really kept us going in some difficult environments on the road in the Big Ten. We expected a lot out of him as a leader on this team, and he continues to show his experience and talent week in and week out." \nThis is the fourth time this season a Hoosier has warranted Big Ten Player of the Week honors and is the third honor of Plotkin's career.
(10/17/05 5:10am)
For the fifth time this season the IU men's soccer team ended regulation with a tie. For the fifth time this season the team ended overtime without a victory. \nAnd in that fifth time, the Hoosiers ended overtime tied with Northwestern University 1-1 Sunday. IU improved its record to 8-1-4 and its Big Ten record to 2-1-2 after tying the Wildcats and beating the University of Wisconsin on a weekend road trip.\n"We need to find a way to pull out a win," senior midfielder Brian Plotkin said. "We are 0-4-1 in overtime games this season. We need to pull out some of these close ones."\nThe Wildcats came out with several scoring opportunities early in the game. In the 13th minute Northwestern capitalized on a restart when Wildcat forward Brad North headed the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Chris Munroe after the deadball pass from Gerardo Alvarez.\nAfter several scoring chances, the Hoosiers finally evened the ledger 15 minutes before halftime thanks to a Plotkin goal. Freshman forward Lee Nguyen found Plotkin on the side of the penalty box where he shot the ball to the back post, netting his sixth goal of the season.\nThe Hoosiers created several opportunities in the second half, but were unable to score the game winning goal. The Hoosiers seemed to have seized the lead in the 65th minute when senior midfielder Jordan Chirico crossed the ball to freshman Kevin Noschang, who finished with a header past the Wildcat keeper. But the lead only lasted for a few seconds because a Noschang foul waved off the goal.\n"Our guys got tired as the game went on," IU head coach Mike Freitag said. "That's a scheduling problem when you have to play two Big Ten opponents in one weekend. The guys handled it well."\nThe Hoosiers began the weekend with another offensive outburst in a 5-2 win over the Wisconsin Badgers, picking up their second Big Ten victory of the season. Junior Forward Jacob Peterson led the Hoosier barrage with two goals, his third multi-goal game of the year.\nThe Hoosiers twice saw a one goal lead erased in the first half. IU jumped on the scoreboard 15 minutes into the contest when Nguyen converted a penalty kick after the Badgers fouled Peterson in the box. Five minutes later, Wisconsin scored on a penalty kick of its own to pull even with the Hoosiers.\nIU wasted little time in regaining the lead when Chirico led fellow senior Plotkin with a pass from the left sideline. Plotkin finished the play from 30-yards out when he bent a shot around the Wisconsin goalkeeper that found the right side of the net. In the 43rd minute, Wisconsin evened the score again with a shot 12 yards from goal.\nSix minutes into the second half, Peterson would put the Hoosiers ahead for good. Sophomore Greg Stevning sent a through ball from the defense to Peterson, setting up a one-on-one with the Badger goalkeeper. Peterson faked the goalkeeper with a quick cut and finished the opportunity, giving IU the 3-2 advantage. Another goal from Peterson and one from Chirico gave further insurance to the Hoosiers in the second half.\n"(Plotkin) played me a really good ball," Chirico said. "I was lucky when the defender kicked the ball to me. I just got it and scored."\nThe Hoosiers play midweek against instate rival Butler at Armstrong Stadium. For the Hoosiers it will be the first chance in more than two weeks to play in front of the home fans, a chance they are certainly looking forward to.\n"We have the best fans in the country," Peterson said. "It will be nice to come home and play in front of them twice this week"
(10/07/05 5:03am)
The IU men's soccer team returns to Big Ten action this weekend at Michigan in search of its first conference victory of the season. \nAfter beginning the Big Ten campaign 0-1-1 with a loss to Penn State and a tie with Michigan State, the Hoosiers rebounded with a pair of non-conference wins against IU-Purdue University Indianapolis and the University of Louisville.\n"I think we have been playing well," IU head coach Mike Freitag said. "The loss against Penn State, I thought we played well enough to win. The Penn State one hurt -- I thought we should have won. It's good to bounce back with these two wins. We look forward to going to Michigan Sunday." \nThe No. 11 Hoosiers currently sit in a tie for fifth place in the Big Ten. In the 14 seasons of Big Ten competition, IU has lost only five regular season contests, and the Hoosiers have never dropped more than two games in a Big Ten regular season. IU has won at least a share of the conference regular season crown 11 times.\n"We have a little bit of momentum and we got our confidence back a little," senior midfielder Brian Plotkin said. "Coming out on the road and getting a nice 2-0 win helps a lot. Now we have to go back and take care of business. Now we have to step it up and (win) the next four, and hopefully we can still get the top seed in the (Big Ten) tournament."\nThe Hoosiers will look to get back on track this Sunday when they face Michigan, who is currently tied with Ohio State and Penn State for the Big Ten lead at 1-0. Senior forward Ryan Alexander leads the Wolverines, who have made the NCAA tournament the past two seasons, with seven points on three goals and an assist this season.\n"They have some great players up there, and we know it will be a battle like every game in the Big Ten," Plotkin said. "We are going up there looking for a win, and I think we can get it."\nThe Hoosiers have never lost to the Wolverines, holding an 8-0 record over their Big Ten counterparts. Last season, IU defeated Michigan 2-1 in the regular season and 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. While both of those games were played in the friendly confines of Armstrong Stadium, Sunday's game will be another road challenge for the defending national champions. The Hoosiers are in the middle of a four-game road trip as they end the season with six of the final nine games on the road.\n"We always look forward to the away games because we think it helps our team get prepared for the tournament," junior midfielder Josh Tudela said.\nEven with a record of 6-1-3 and a No. 11 national ranking, Freitag is looking for the Hoosiers to continue their growth as a team in their pursuit for a third straight national championship.\n"Right now I still feel we're not close to running on all cylinders," Freitag said. "I've got a lot of good players, and I'm trying to find the right chemistry. I look at it like you got all these pieces of puzzle and you are trying to make a masterpiece print out of it. I got to find that still"