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(03/11/09 3:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With four losses in its past five games, IU (5-6) hoped to improve its record against Morehead State on Tuesday afternoon at Sembower Field.Behind excellent pitching from junior Chris Squires and nine home runs, the Hoosiers did just that in a dominating 18-3 victory. Squires pitched six innings, giving up five hits and only three earned runs on the afternoon.“It has been a while since I have had a start,” said Squires, who usually closes. “I felt good in the pan, and when I got out there my defense definitely made plays for me, and I was able to get through.”Hoosier hitting was also up to par. IU had a combined 22 hits against the Eagles, including three home runs from junior catcher Josh Phegley and a grand slam by junior shortstop Jake Dunning. Phegley’s three home runs were the most hit by a Hoosier in a single game since Doug DeVore against Indiana-Wesleyan in 1999.In total, seven Hoosiers contributed home runs.Phegley said the hitting against the Eagles will help boost team confidence in the future.“With the wind, it was a launch pad out here,” he said after the victory. “Anything they served up near the middle we hit pretty well. This shows what our bats are capable of day in and day out."The Hoosiers’ next contest will come when they travel to Kentucky at 4 p.m. today. – By Greg Rosenstein
(03/05/09 4:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Entering the game with four consecutive losses, Eastern Michigan was supposed to be the team struggling Wednesday afternoon. But after giving up 11 hits and leaving 12 stranded on base, IU lost to the Eagles, 10-6.The loss drops the Hoosiers to 3-4 on the season and 0-1 at home. “Grounding into five double plays was tough,” said IU sophomore first baseman Jerrud Sabourin after the game. “We just didn’t have the right things going for us today. We didn’t get the clutch hits, make the clutch pitches, and the game could have been totally different if we do.” The pivotal point in the game for Eastern Michigan came in the fifth inning. Down 3-2, the Eagles put on a hitting clinic against IU sophomore pitchers Joey O’Gara and Matt Carr. Eastern Michigan scored five runs on five hits, beginning with a lead-off double by junior shortstop Jim Gulliver.The Eagles added to their lead in the eighth inning, as a pair of errors by the Hoosier defense contributed to three runs. Despite the loss, the Hoosiers took away a couple of positives.Freshman catcher Josh Lyon had the most complete day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and RBI. After lackluster pitching early, senior pitcher Joe Vicini stepped in during the eighth inning and pitched 1 1/3 innings. He struck out two and allowed a sole hit. Sabourin said the team is still confident going into the Eagle Invitational in Statesboro, Ga., this weekend.“We just need to keep our heads up,” he said. “Obviously losing two in a row like this, against teams we should beat, is hard. We need to step it up.”
(01/16/09 5:33am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Since he began playing soccer at age 5, IU junior defender Kevin Alston has had to battle back from a broken leg, a sports hernia and a titanium rod in his left shin.But all the pain was made worthwhile Thursday afternoon when the New England Revolution chose him as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.Alston’s former teammate, IU senior and midfielder Brad Ring, was selected by the San Jose Earthquakes with the No. 17 overall pick. “It was kind of crazy, but more a sigh of relief,” Alston said about being chosen for the MLS. “(The Revolution) need defenders, so I definitely have a shot to make my mark from the start. It’s a very exciting time.”Kevin’s father, Larry, said the day could not have gone better. “We couldn’t be any happier,” he said. “New England is an excellent team, and he is going to be very well-positioned. We have been on this path for a lot of years, and this is what he has always wanted to do. It is really a culmination of a dream.”Looking to bolster their defense, the Revolution chose Alston primarily for his speed and aggressiveness on the ball. The All-Big Ten performer helped lead the Hoosier defense to 10 shutouts this season, eight of which were against ranked opponents. “We didn’t expect him to be available when we made our first pick,” Revolution coach Steve Nicol said on the team’s Web site. “We’ll see more of him on the other side of the ball once we get him into preseason, but right off the bat – in the defensive half – he’s as solid as a rock. He is a fierce competitor and wants to win at everything he does.”Less than an hour after Alston was selected, Ring’s agent notified him that he was about to become an Earthquake. While Ring admitted he did not know too much about the MLS team, he said he was ready to join the other players in San Jose and make a contribution.“I am looking forward to getting out there with the team,” he said. “I don’t think it is going to hit me until I am on the flight out there. It is kind of cliche to say, but it has been my goal since I was little. I am excited that I achieved that.”Despite being selected by MLS squads on opposite sides of the country, Alston and Ring will not be separated for too long. The Revolution travel to San Jose on March 21 in the first match of the 2009 season.“It will be kind of ironic,” Alston said, “but fun.”
(01/15/09 5:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ever since he was young, IU senior midfielder Brad Ring has known what he wanted to do in life: become a professional soccer player. “My mom showed me this journal from third grade, where it said what I wanted to be when I grow up and it had that written down,” Ring said. “I have had that as a goal of mine since I can remember.” He might finally get his chance this afternoon when he and fellow teammate, junior defender Kevin Alston, look to be selected in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, held in St. Louis, Mo.While both players were standouts this season at IU, their projected draft positions are anything but similar. Ring brings more accolades from college to draft day, but according to numerous online publications, MLS teams covet Alston’s speed and defensive tenacity, projecting him to be taken in the first 10 picks, while rarely mentioning Ring in their mock drafts.Ring, a Rockford, Ill. native, said his desire to play in the MLS or overseas was a major reason why he chose to come to IU.“That was one of the main determining factors for me as far as picking IU,” he said. “I knew IU could help me advance my game as much as possible during my four years here. It has been great as far as pursuing a professional career.”In his tenure as a Hoosier, Ring has been named a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American, two-time All-Big Ten and two-time MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist for college soccer player of the year. “He is a young man that kind of epitomizes our program,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “He is a kid that is tough, does things the right way all of the time and fights tooth-and-nail to win the game. Those are very good attributes that are going to lend themselves to the lucky team that drafts him.”Ring’s achievements notwithstanding, it is Alston who is regarded by online publications as a better professional prospect.Though he is sad to leave Bloomington, the decision to enter the MLS and achieve a lifetime goal was too much to pass up for Alston.“I will only take really good memories from my time there,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine, and I am glad I am finally getting the opportunity. It is kind of crazy that it is here now.”Last week, Alston, a 2008 first-team All-Big Ten selection, was named one of the nine non-seniors in Generation adidas. The program enables the top underclassmen in college soccer to forgo their senior year and enter the MLS SuperDraft while offering educational grants for the players to continue their education in the future. Generation adidas players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget, raising their attractiveness to teams. Freitag knows first-hand that Alston is a legitimate professional prospect.“Initially he was kind of quiet and maybe a follower his first couple of years, but it seemed that last spring he came out of his shell a little bit and has grown as a person,” Freitag said. “His speed and quickness are up there with the best in the world, and that, coupled with his tenacious attitude defending, made him a special player for us. He will continue to get better and better.”Earlier this week in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Alston participated in the MLS combine where he trained and played in matches with other professional prospects.“The combine was a lot of fun. Nice weather in Florida, so I cannot complain about that,” he said. “I didn’t think I had the best first day. But the second and third day, I feel I progressively improved and was solid defensively as a whole.” While Alston was enjoying the attention and weather at the combine, Ring was attending class in Bloomington. “It would have been nice to go there and show myself along with the other talent that is in this year’s draft,” Ring said. “But there is nothing I can do about it. There is nothing I can do, so I can only see where I go and take it from there.”So as Ring, this season’s captain, beams with pride as his soon-to-be former teammate dons his new MLS scarf in St. Louis, he will most likely still be eagerly waiting to see what his future entails.
(12/05/08 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU senior midfielder John Mellencamp has waited his entire life for a chance to play in the College Cup. That chance might almost be here. “I think about it every night,” he said jokingly. “I have had a couple of dreams about it already. I want to end on that high note with a championship. With the characters of the guys on this team, I wouldn’t want anything less for these guys other than to win that championship.”The No. 6-seeded Hoosiers (14-6-3) will face the No. 3-seeded St. John’s Red Storm (18-2-3) at 5 p.m. Saturday in Queens, N.Y., in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. An IU victory would advance IU coach Mike Freitag’s team to its Division 1-leading 18th College Cup appearance next week in Frisco, Texas.The Hoosiers advanced to the fourth round of the tournament with 2-0 and 3-0 victories against St. Louis and Michigan, respectively. Freitag said he is proud of the way his team has played lately. “Defensively, we are not taking any risks, and offensively, we have found a way to put the ball in the net,” he said. “The guys have learned to play together, and the casualness that cost us earlier in the season has been eliminated. That is the big reason for our success.” One reason for IU’s recent run of form has been the play of the defense. The Hoosiers have given up only one shot on goal in the tournament and have shut out their opponents in five of the last six matches, allowing just one goal during that span. “We have played spectacular,” senior goalkeeper Chay Cain said. “Giving up only one shot on goal in two games in the tournament is almost unheard of. Everybody has been working behind the ball to cut out those chances. That is what you need to win championships.”The Hoosiers have also benefited in the tournament from the return of senior midfielder Brad Ring. The All-American candidate scored his first goal of the season in the victory against Michigan in the last round. St. John’s has also played well recently, winning six of its last seven games. In the NCAA Tournament, the Red Storm posted one-goal victories against both Boston and UC-Irvine. With the Red Storm winning all 11 matches at home this season, Freitag said the quarterfinal game would be a true test for his squad. “They are a very solid team,” he said. “They are good defensively and find ways to score goals. St. John’s teams are always very well-organized, are disciplined and work hard.”The field at Belson Stadium is surfaced with Astroturf and on top of a parking garage because of a lack of space. The Hoosiers practiced this week at Memorial Stadium to prepare for the different conditions. “The ball moves a little bit quicker, but not much compared to our game field,” Mellencamp said. “There are no excuses for bad touches. The pitch is extremely smooth, so the ball does what you want, so I don’t think we will have a hard time transitioning.” Despite the Red Storm’s impressive home record, Cain said the team is confident it will advance to the College Cup. “Their record is what it is,” he said. “Everyone gets beat at some point. Statistics like that don’t really faze us. We are going to go in there and try to get a good victory.”
(11/24/08 4:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Born in St. Louis and having played soccer for St. Louis University High School, IU defender Tommy Meyer knows what to expect in his first NCAA tournament game more than most freshmen typically would. “Luis (Soffner), Chris (Haffner) and I were all recruited by St. Louis University,” Meyer said. “There is one kid from my club team that is on SLU and a bunch of older kids on that team that are on SLU too, so I know most of them. Ever since coming here I looked forward to playing St. Louis because it has always been such a big game. I’m not really nervous yet, but we’ll see.”Seeded No. 6 in the tournament, the Hoosiers (12-6-3) will face the Billikens (12-4-5) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.The matchup against St. Louis is especially intriguing for a couple of reasons. For one, IU coach Mike Freitag and five players hail from the Gateway City. In addition, the Hoosiers have competed against the Billikens 30 times, posting a 17-9-4 advantage.SLU senior midfielder Kyle Patterson, a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate for the nation’s top college soccer player, is the best offensive threat for the Billikens. He leads the team with 29 points on the season, including five game-winning goals. Another player the Hoosiers will need to focus on is SLU senior defender Calum Angus, who returned for the final 12 games after being injured earlier in the season. Last year, Angus was named second-team All-America by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Freitag said the intense rivalry will make Tuesday night’s game a little more interesting. “There has always been a good Indiana versus St. Louis University rivalry, and it adds a little spice to the game,” he said. “St. Louis is a very talented team. I know their starting eleven, a lot of their players we have played in the past, and they are as good as anybody we have played. They are well-coached and may have some guys back that were out earlier with injuries.”The Hoosiers, though, might be the most ready team in the entire tournament, having played more NCAA tournament teams this season, 12, than any other squad in the post-season. Eight of these matches were against non-conference opponents. Senior forward Kevin Noschang said the difficult regular-season schedule allows his team to be fully ready come the NCAA tournament. “We try to have the toughest schedule every year in the country, and that prepares us for any team we face,” he said. “Having a tough schedule lets us know where you stand and allows us to see our weaknesses and our strengths. But come tournament time, any team can win.” And with only two losses in its past nine games, IU seems to be peaking at the right time and is confident in its NCAA chances. “Around tournament time, practice is always different,” Noschang said. “Everybody has a bounce in their step, and they turn the knobs up a few more clicks. We are more of a team now, and certainly that is what you need going into the tournament.”
(11/17/08 5:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>MADISON, Wis. – This past week, Michigan State senior forward Doug DeMartin was named the Big Ten men’s soccer Player of the Year. He lived up to his billing Sunday afternoon, as his goal in the 58th minute gave his team a 1-0 advantage and, in the end, a conference championship.DeMartin’s goal was his Big Ten-leading 17th score of the season.“They have a kid that is a proven goal-scorer,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “DeMartin has proven it all year. Sometimes the better team doesn’t win ... it is all about putting the ball in the net, and they did it and we didn’t.”The Hoosiers (12-6-3) were primarily in control of possession in the first half, resulting in a multitude of scoring opportunities.Their best look came just five minutes into the match, when junior midfielder Eric Alexander set up sophomore midfielder Rich Balchan, who was sprinting full force toward the goal. Balchan went one-on-one with Spartan sophomore goalkeeper Avery Steinlage, but his hard shot went wide left.In the 12th minute of play, sophomore midfielder/forward Andy Adlard’s corner kick went straight to junior defender Kevin Alston at the far post. Alston fired a low shot on goal, but Steinlage was again able to make the save.The remainder of the period saw offensive attacks from Adlard, senior midfielder John Mellencamp and freshman forward Will Bruin, but to no avail. The score remained 0-0 going into halftime. But while the Hoosiers seemed to be in control of the offensive production early on, it was a different story in the second half. In the 58th minute, Michigan State (13-5-1) senior forward Louis Stevens III fed a pass to an open DeMartin at the top of the box. He drilled the ball from the six-yard stripe into the bottom left corner of the net past senior goalkeeper Chay Cain for the 1-0 lead.Anxious to even the score, the Hoosiers then produced a barrage of scoring chances.In the 66th minute senior midfielder Brian Ackley headed a shot toward goal, but Steinlage was able to make the fingertip save to send it over the crossbar. Ackley was involved in the action again in the 73rd minute, when he sent a cross to sprinting sophomore forward Neil Wilmarth. Though on target, Wilmarth’s diving header was sent directly at the opposing goalkeeper.Despite a late push from the Hoosiers, they were unable to reach the back of the net and fell to the No. 1-seeded Spartans, 1-0.“I felt we played well today,” junior defender Ofori Sarkodie said after the game. “Throughout the tournament we were consistent, creating opportunities, battling well and had team unity. I am fairly confident that we were the better team today, but they capitalized on their opportunity, and that is what it came down to.”The Hoosiers will find out their first-round opponent and game location for the 48-team NCAA Tournament on Monday night. Although IU was on the losing end Sunday afternoon, Alston said the loss would not hinder the team’s confidence going into NCAA play.“The NCAAs are what you build for all season,” he said. “The attitude will be raised with everybody. We are at a good position right now and playing well.”
(11/14/08 6:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When the IU men’s soccer team needed a goal this season, sophomore forward and midfielder Andy Adlard provided it. And with four game-winning goals this year, it was no surprise he was the difference in the Hoosiers’ 1-0 victory against Ohio State on Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.Adlard’s serve into the Buckeye penalty box in the 94th minute of overtime was supposed to be a pass to his teammates. But when a scuffle in front of the goal confused Ohio State junior goalkeeper Byron Neal, the ball bounced into the net. “Andy has played very well all season,” said IU coach Mike Freitag after the game. “We can talk about his goals, but what I am most proud of is his defending this year. He has always been a good offensive player, but the thing that he lacked in the past was defending.” The score was Adlard’s team-leading sixth of the season.The first half proved to be a defensive battle for both sides, as only four total shots were fired.The Buckeyes had the best chance early on, as a header by junior defender Doug Verhoff in the 23rd minute went wide of the goal. IU’s best opportunity appeared just before halftime in the 44th minute, when Adlard rifled a hard shot on goal. Though on target, Neal saved Adlard’s shot, and the half ended in a 0-0 tie. As they have in past matches this year, IU came out much more spirited in the second half. The Hoosiers had a prime chance in the 60th minute, when a corner kick was played out to junior defender Ofori Sarkodie, but his shot hit off of the crossbar. Seconds later, the ball landed at the feet of junior defender Kevin Alston, who took a hard shot that went just wide.Sophomore defender Rich Balchan made a nice move past the Buckeye defense in the 86th minute and went one-on-one with Neal. Despite the effort to create an opportunity, his shot went over the goal. With neither team able to score, the game remained 0-0 at the end of regulation. Similar to the last time IU and Ohio State met this season – a 3-2 IU road victory on Oct. 26 – Adlard’s overtime goal propelled the Hoosiers to victory.The Hoosiers’ defense played well in the match, allowing only seven total shots from Ohio State, none on goal.With an intense past history, it was not surprising to see added aggressiveness on the field. Thirty total fouls were called on both sides in the game, including three yellow cards.“It was a big battle from both teams,” Adlard said. “Our team matched the intensity, and everyone did their job. We got down and did the dirty work, and that was necessary to win.”Balchan said he was most proud of the way his team played in the later stages of the game.“In the second half, we settled down a lot and started moving the ball around,” he said. “It allowed a lot more to open up. We got a lot more chances, and that is why we were able to win the game.”The Hoosiers will face Michigan in a 1:30 p.m. matchup Friday. The Wolverines defeated Wisconsin in a shootout in the game directly after IU’s win.
(11/07/08 4:56am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With returning All-Americans, depth at all positions and a top recruiting class, the IU men’s soccer team entered the season considered one of the best squads in the country.But with no more than a three-game winning streak, the No. 23 Hoosiers’ year has not gone as planned.Their roller-coaster regular season culminates at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium with a conference match against No. 8 Northwestern.The Hoosiers are 9-5-3 for the season and 2-3 in the Big Ten.Junior midfielder Eric Alexander said the team is confident in its chances to finish the season strong.“We know we have the fight to win games,” he said. “(Against Penn State), the second half showed how well we could play. We are looking forward to Northwestern, and it will be a good game.”Their 1-0 loss against Penn State last Saturday was their first defeat in the past five games. The IU defense allowed five goals in those five games.Although the offense has stepped up its scoring attack in the last few weeks, it was absent in its loss to the Nittany Lions.“It was one of those games we came out kind of slow,” senior goalkeeper Chay Cain said. “We weren’t firing from the beginning and it hurt us. “We came out and got behind and tried to fight back to get back in the game.”The absence of senior midfielder and captain Brad Ring was one missing piece that might have hurt the Hoosiers. Ring is out with an injury.IU coach Mike Freitag said his team should still play to its potential each game, regardless of whether a player is out with an injury or not.“Brad is a very important player for us,” he said. “I would be lying if I said we are not missing him, but that is part of the game. It is something that we will have to deal with.”With an overall record of 12-2-2, Northwestern is 3-2 in the Big Ten and sits in third place in the conference behind Michigan State and Michigan. The Wildcats are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Spartans in East Lansing, Mich., last Sunday.Northwestern’s defense has forfeited seven goals all season. Sophomore forward Matt Eliason leads the Wildcats’ offensive attack with 11 goals.With only one loss in their last five games, the Hoosiers hope to carry the momentum into their matchup against Northwestern and the post-season tournaments.Still, the Hoosiers are wary of the challenge ahead. Though the Wildcats have lost two of their past three games, Freitag said they are one of the premier teams in the nation.“Northwestern is a team that is doing things the right way,” he said. “They are finding a way to win, playing within themselves, and their record proves how good they are. “It is all about scoring goals and not giving up goals, and they have done that very well this year.”
(11/03/08 3:03am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Five times this season, the IU men’s soccer team has been held scoreless in the first half of play and come back to win.It did not happen Saturday night, though, as the Hoosiers generated little offensive firepower and fell on the road to unranked Penn State 1-0.The loss ended the No. 17 Hoosiers’ four-game unbeaten streak and drops their season record to 9-5-3. They are now 2-3 in the Big Ten.IU coach Mike Freitag summed up his team’s play in one word: “disappointing.”“I didn’t feel we had fight and hustle tonight, especially in the first half,” he said. “It is a reoccurring topic that we need to get over. Every game is going to be a battle, and tonight we didn’t rise to the occasion.”With only three shots on goal in the 90 minutes of play, the Hoosiers mustered little production against the Nittany Lions’ defense. Penn State (5-9-3, 2-3) secured the board first, when their goal in the 26th minute put them up 1-0.Off a free kick from just outside the box by Penn State junior midfielder Matheus Braga, IU senior goalkeeper Chay Cain stepped in to block the shot. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the ball ended up at the feet of Nittany Lion junior forward Vincent Salvatico, who fired a shot into the net.Playing without the lead at the start of the second half was not a new thing for the Hoosiers, as they came out of the locker room with a more aggressive mentality.IU junior midfielder Eric Alexander took a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but Penn State freshman goalkeeper Warren Gross was able to get a hand on it. With eight seconds remaining, IU freshman forward Will Bruin had an clean look at goal, but his shot went wide of the net. Not since 1991, the first year the Big Ten began playing men’s soccer, have the Hoosiers lost three conference games in a season.“It’s just little mistakes that cost us,” Alexander said. “We weren’t moving the ball quick enough and it was just slow. We didn’t look like we normally do.”For the second consecutive game, IU was without the services of senior midfielder and captain Brad Ring.Cain said players must be ready to go at all times if an injury occurs.“Obviously Brad is a big part of our team, and we want him out there if we can,” he said. “At the same time, we have the personnel that if Brad or somebody else is not playing, we should be able to step into those gaps. We had the team out there to do it.”The Hoosiers conclude their regular season with a home match against No. 6 Northwestern (12-2-2, 3-2) at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.With the postseason quickly approaching, Cain said a win against the Wildcats would be monumental for team confidence.“We need to get a little more momentum going before the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament,” he said. “We know it is going to be a tough game, but a game that we know we can win.”
(10/30/08 4:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Not even the fastest goal in NCAA Division I history could propel the IU men’s soccer team to its fourth win in a row, with the Hoosiers’ match against Kentucky ending in a 1-1 tie after two overtime periods Wednesday night. On the opening kickoff, sophomore forward/midfielder Andy Adlard sent a long ball deep into the Kentucky zone. After bouncing off of a Wildcat defender, Kentucky goalkeeper Dan Williams came out of the goal to attempt to scoop up the bouncing ball. IU senior forward Kevin Noschang took advantage of the miscue by gaining control of the ball and firing it past Williams for the 1-0 advantage six seconds into the game.“For the past two games, we decided to attack them right off the bat,” Noschang said. “I was just able to one-time it in. Obviously, when you get a goal six seconds into the game and can start a game up 1-0, there is nothing better than that.”Noschang’s early goal sparked aggressive offensive play from the Hoosiers in the first half. But while the team looked to continue its scoring attack, Kentucky evened the score. Attempting to clear in the 22nd minute, freshman defender Tommy Meyer kicked the ball into the path of oncoming Kentucky junior midfielder Chad Hagerty. The Wildcat took control of the ball and went one-on-one with IU senior goalkeeper Chay Cain. At the last second, Hagerty passed the ball off to his teammate, junior forward Marco dos Santos, who scored on an effectively open net. The remainder of the first half was a defensive battle, as the game entered halftime tied.The second half was characterized by missed opportunities from both sides. In the 54th minute, a Kentucky offensive player took a shot just outside of the box that was saved by a sprawling Cain. A minute later Noschang received a through-ball that put him one-on-one against Williams, but the shot went just wide. In the 77th minute, Wildcat junior defender Barry Rice made a nice move inside the box and fired a shot that Cain tipped just out of bounds. With less than 10 seconds remaining, IU junior defender Kevin Alston got on top of a rebounded ball and took a shot on goal that was blocked by a Kentucky defender.The late offensive push was not enough, and the score stayed 1-1 after 90 minutes.The Hoosiers and the Wildcats each had one prime chance to score in the first overtime period. With five minutes remaining, Adlard nearly replicated his game-winning shot against Ohio State last week, as his free kick just outside the box was tipped over the crossbar. For Kentucky, senior forward Michael Strong had a good touch in the box and took a shot on goal that went just wide left with just under two minutes left in the first overtime.The second overtime was predominately controlled by the Hoosiers, with opportunities on goal from junior midfielder Lee Hagedorn, Noschang and junior midfielder Eric Alexander. None reached the back of the net, however, and the match ended in a 1-1 tie.One important piece missing on the field for the Hoosiers was senior midfielder Brad Ring, who IU coach Mike Freitag said injured himself just before the match. IU junior defender Ofori Sarkodie said the final result was not what the team had hoped for, but he said they will take it going into the final two games of the season. “It is very important for the morale of the team,” he said. “The second half and the overtime periods were a big testament to how this team is looking towards the postseason. I thought we banded together as a team today.” The No. 17 Hoosiers are now 9-4-3 on the season and face two Big Ten opponents – Penn State and No. 6 Northwestern – to close the regular season. Freitag said he was happy with the way his team played against Kentucky.“The second half and overtime, I felt we were the better team,” he said. “I thought the (defensive) backs were very good tonight. It was a hard-fought and tiring game, and now we just have to regroup and get ready for Penn State.”
(10/24/08 3:33am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With two consecutive wins against top-15 teams, the IU men’s soccer team hopes to continue the momentum when it travels to Ohio State in a critical conference battle Sunday afternoon.The Hoosiers (8-4-2) will face the Buckeyes at noon in Columbus, Ohio.IU sophomore forward/midfielder Andy Adlard said the second half against Louisville on Thursday night showed the potential the team has.“It was tough at first to adjust to how they were shaping up with their formation,” he said. “At halftime, we realized a couple tactics we needed to change, and it worked out well in the end.”A major component to the recent winning mentality has been stepped-up play by the defense. In the past four games, IU has only given up three goals, including two shutouts. Senior goalkeeper Chay Cain said he is proud of the way the defense has been playing as of late. “The one thing you can do defensively is talk, and I think we did that well (against Louisville),” he said. “We realized that guys are going to make mistakes. The big difference is that everybody is now committed to covering for everybody else.”For IU coach Mike Freitag, the victories could not have come at a better time in the season.“We have been more focused and made better decisions on the ball,” he said. “It takes a while for a team to really start to get to know each other. At this point in the season, we should be starting to run on all cylinders, and we are.”The recent victories against then-No. 9 Notre Dame and then-No. 14 Louisville were monumental for IU. Three of the team’s next four games – including a matchup with No. 2 Northwestern – are against Big Ten opponents. And with a lackluster 1-2 record in the conference and a ranking of fifth out of seven teams, the remaining regular season games are must-wins for the Hoosiers.“Big Ten games are always tough,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “There is that rivalry between teams that heightens the game a little bit. The main thing is you want to win every game.”The Buckeyes are 9-4-2 on the season and reached the national championship game last year. Ohio State also has a deep history with IU, including last year’s Big Ten Championship where the Buckeyes took the conference crow from IU on penalty kicks. “Last year they had our number, so we would like to get a little revenge for that,” Freitag said. “They will be a similar team in some ways but maybe not as seasoned or mature as their team last year.”Freitag said his team is right where he wants them to be. “We want to keep building momentum,” he said. “We want to be peaking at the right time. If we play to our potential and do things right on both sides of the ball, I think it will take a very good team to beat us.”
(10/23/08 4:08am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Thanks to a late penalty conversion by sophomore midfielder/forward Andy Adlard, the IU men’s soccer team took care of its second-consecutive top-15 opponent with a 1-0 victory against No. 14 Louisville on Wednesday night. After senior forward Kevin Noschang was tripped in the box with a little more than eight minutes remaining, Adlard sent a shot to the lower left part of the goal to put the Hoosiers ahead for good. The win allowed the team to push its record to 8-4-2 on the season and extend its unbeaten streak to 3-0-2 against top-25 opponents.Adlard said his mentality on the penalty shot was no different than in practice.“I can go both ways, but I felt most comfortable (going left),” he said. “The keeper went the wrong way. It ended up working out.”Despite sloppy play from both sides in the first half, Louisville dominated the amount of shots on goal with a 7-2 advantage. The Cardinals’ best opportunity came in the 18th minute, when a cross into the box was headed off of the crossbar. The Hoosiers had a prime chance in the 26th minute that saw freshman forward Will Bruin one-time a ball that went just wide right of the goal. Sophomore forward Neil Wilmarth’s long throw-in at the 32nd minute created havoc in front of Louisville goalkeeper Andre Boudreaux, but the Hoosiers couldn’t get off the mark, as the first half ended in a 0-0 defensive stalemate. While the Hoosiers lacked offensive production early on, the second half was a different story. From the opening whistle, IU besieged Boudreaux and tallied an 11-1 shots-on-goal advantage in the second frame. Bruin had the initial chance on goal of the second half in the 52nd minute, when his line-drive shot outside of the box skidded wide left. Senior midfielder Brad Ring joined in on the action when his 30-yard shot soared just wide left of the net. Leaving it late, Noschang’s penalty and Adlard’s goal with little time remaining sealed the victory for the Hoosiers. Senior goalkeeper Chay Cain said he was proud of his team’s effort in the second half. “That is the intensity we need the rest of the season in order to keep pulling out victories,” Cain said. “We eliminated the small mistakes, moved the ball quicker, and that made all the difference. We have realized, as the season has gone on, that we are a volatile team.” The victory creates momentum for the Hoosiers heading into their road match against Big Ten foe Ohio State this weekend. IU hopes to get back on track in the conference after starting just 1-2. The Buckeyes are 8-4-2 on the season, and 2-2 in the Big Ten.IU coach Mike Freitag said the victories against Notre Dame and Louisville were crucial to future success.“Beating a couple of regional opponents helps us in the rankings,” he said. “It is where you are at in the end. Early in the season we made some mistakes, but we learned from them. We have been much sharper these last two games.”
(10/16/08 1:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Dropping out of the national rankings and falling further back in the Big Ten, IU men’s soccer coach Mike Freitag decided to change up his typical practice regimen this week.His players responded.“I found out that these guys need external motivation,” Freitag said. “If you lose, you have to run. ... I didn’t have those punishments before. We had a long discussion as a team on how to get things right. You get it out in the air, talk about it, and go back to work, and that is what we did.”The Hoosiers face No. 9 Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. today at Bill Armstrong Stadium.Senior midfielder John Mellencamp said the added passion in practice is necessary for his team’s crucial matchup against the Fighting Irish. “It was one of the most intense trainings I have seen this season,” he said. “There was a lot more competition today and guys were taking things personally on the field. No one wanted to lose a single thing they did today, and that is the mind-set that gets you ready to play a game.”With a 2-0 loss Sunday to Michigan State, IU (6-4-2) slipped to 1-2 in the Big Ten, good enough for fifth place out of seven in the conference standings.On Monday, the players and coaches discussed the direction of the team.“We sat down, put everything out there and talked about where we were at in the season,” junior defender/midfielder Kevin Alston said. “At this point, it makes it almost crucial to win every (Big Ten) game. The biggest thing for us is staying positive.”This confidence must be seen from the Hoosiers tonight when they take on a talented Notre Dame squad. The Fighting Irish are 8-3-1 on the season and have won their past two games by a combined 7-1 margin.Notre Dame senior forward Bright Dike leads the team’s offensive attack with nine goals and three assists on the season.Defensively, the Fighting Irish return two All-Big East defenders in seniors Matt Besler and Jack Traynor.Though he said it would be a tough game, Freitag said Notre Dame is in a circumstance similar to that of the Hoosiers, referring to their three losses on the season.“They are finding themselves and also have been inconsistent on the year,” he said. “The team that is more consistent on the night will probably win the game.”Mellencamp said earning a victory against the high-ranking Fighting Irish would be monumental for long-term success.“I see a very focused, intense game,” Mellencamp said. “Everybody on this team has thought about what we need to do to reach the potential we are capable of. If we can come out and carry the intensity that we had today in training, I think things will turn around for us.”
(10/13/08 4:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Facing the top goal-scorer in the Big Ten, the IU men’s soccer team knew it needed to contain Michigan State senior forward Doug DeMartin from the opening whistle.The Hoosiers held DeMartin in check until the 82nd minute, when he gave the Spartans a late lead. Michigan State freshman midfielder Domenic Barone put the game’s final goal away just 39 seconds later to upset the Hoosiers 2-0 in East Lansing on Sunday. IU coach Mike Freitag said his team’s loss resulted from slow play on the field. “There are not many positives you take out of a game like this,” he said. “Hopefully the only positive is how not to play. We were a little slow thinking, moving the ball and didn’t come with the energy we needed.”Though they were unable to score, the first half saw plenty of offensive chances for the Hoosiers. Junior midfielder Eric Alexander had the best scoring opportunity three minutes into the match, when his shot hit the post and was cleared out by the Spartan defense. Senior midfielder John Mellencamp, senior forward Kevin Noschang and sophomore midfielder/forward Andy Adlard each had quality shots on goal, but to no avail.The teams headed into the locker room at halftime in a defensive stalemate at 0-0.It was not until the 70th minute that the Hoosiers had their best chance to get on the board in the second half. Sophomore defender Rich Balchan had two shots on goal. With his first effort blocked back to him, Balchan’s follow-up attempt was pounced on by Michigan State goalkeeper Avery Steinlage, stopping the scoring opportunity.DeMartin’s score came when he received the ball free on the right side of the penalty area and put it past IU senior goalkeeper Chay Cain. The score was DeMartin’s 11th of the season.Almost immediately after, Barone’s shot in front of the net put the game out of reach for the Hoosiers. The finishing score was Barone’s first career goal. IU senior midfielder Billy Weaver said his team lacked the small aspects of the game needed to win. “What it came down to was the small things – not finishing chances or staying a little bit too far away from our guy defensively,” he said. “Hopefully, we will get sick of losing and just work harder in practice and get more focus. There are a lot of things we could do better.”The loss drops the Hoosiers to 6-4-2 on the season and 1-2-0 in the Big Ten. The team returns home for a 7:30 p.m. contest Thursday with in-state foe Notre Dame at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Freitag said there is much work to be done before facing the No. 15 Fighting Irish.“We will go back to the drawing board and look at what our weaknesses and strengths are to see what we can do better,” Freitag said. “We will go back to work, and that is the only way we will know what to do.”
(10/10/08 3:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>He is listed on the IU Athletics Web site as a midfielder, started the season at defensive back and is now attacking opposing goalies as a forward. While his position on the field may not always be consistent, the level of play for sophomore Daniel Kelly has stayed the same.After his change from defender to forward earlier in the season, the Hoosiers have been much more productive offensively. The team has won five of its last seven games, scoring at least two goals in every win. In IU’s 3-2 victory against Evansville on Sept. 30, Kelly netted his first goal of the season. He followed that performance with the Hoosiers’ first goal in a win against Butler on Tuesday night.Even after the Hendersonville, Tenn., native signed with the Hoosiers out of high school, IU coach Mike Freitag said he did not know where on the field Kelly would fit best.“I just knew he was a good player ... pretty versatile,” Freitag said. “He is a kid that, quite honestly, I could play in the back, as a midfielder and up top.”Position doesn’t matter to the sophomore.“It’s not really a big change for me,” Kelly said of his fluid position in the lineup. “I will do whatever is best for the team.”Last season, Kelly played primarily at the forward position for the Hoosiers. But after a successful stint as defender on the U.S. U-20 National Team last spring in New Orleans, Kelly made the switch from attacker to defender.Kelly played on the back line against Duke and Akron but was moved to the offensive side of the field when Freitag thought sophomore Rich Balchan would be a better fit at defensive back.Senior midfielder Brad Ring said Kelly’s move from defender to forward has been positive for the team.“Having him up there gives us a whole new dimension up top,” Ring said. “He is creative, holds the ball well, (is) fast and is good with both feet. Ever since he has been up there, he has created a lot of chances.”The idea of playing forward is not new to Kelly.From his earliest days in the sport through high school, he preferred to be used as a striker. Once he reached college, Kelly played almost extensively up top, scoring four goals while earning Freshman All-Big Ten honors.“I grew up playing forward before I ever started playing back, so I think it is a natural position for me,” Kelly said.The sophomore said there is a different mentality when playing the two positions.“In the back, you have to play simple, quick and know where you are going,” Kelly said. “There really is no room for error on defense. On offense, you can take more risks in the final third. I hopefully bring some creativity and chances on goal.”Freitag said Kelly’s all-around skills bring an aspect of play rarely seen at the collegiate level.“He is just a solid player for us,” Freitag said. “I think it is still taking him a little bit of time to adjust, but I know ‘DK’ could be a threat up top and secure in the back. We are just trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and he is a versatile piece that could fit in multiple places.”
(10/10/08 3:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Though the Michigan State men’s soccer team sports a lackluster 5-5 record, IU junior midfielder Lee Hagedorn promised that the Hoosiers are not taking their Big Ten foe lightly. “We have had games where we have taken teams too lightly and kind of gotten punched in the nose a little bit,” Hagedorn said. “We need to take every game seriously, whether we are playing the No. 1 team or a team that is not ranked. I expect a tough game.” IU, coming off a 2-0 victory Tuesday night at Butler, travels to East Lansing, Mich., for a 2:30 p.m. matchup Sunday against the Spartans. The Hoosiers are 6-3-2 on the season and 1-1 in the Big Ten.Their most recent victory over the Bulldogs showed the emergence of a new offensive threat.Sophomore forward Daniel Kelly, who Tuesday night scored the fastest goal ever by an IU player, scored twice in the last three games. In addition, Kelly has the highest shots-on-goal percentage on the team. IU junior midfielder Eric Alexander said Kelly’s recent play up top has been crucial to his team’s success.“Dan has just been playing outstanding,” Alexander said. “He has been working hard at practice and is a good finisher. He is taking his opportunities well and keeps improving every day.” But while the IU offense appears to be hitting full stride, the defense has been susceptible to goals of late. In the past six games, the Hoosiers have given up eight scores. “As a defense, we have not been playing up to our potential,” Hagedorn said. “We have been giving up goals in games we have won, and it definitely has not been cutting it. We stepped it up against Butler, and I think we are starting to turn it around.” For the past three games, Hagedorn has stepped into the starting role as outside defender in place of freshman Tommy Meyer. Against the Spartans, IU faces a team that has played well the last couple of weeks. Though Michigan State lost 3-0 to No. 15 Notre Dame on Wednesday night, it won its three previous matches, outscoring opponents 11-3. Senior forward Doug DeMartin, a first-team All-Big Ten player last year, leads the Spartans with 10 goals on the season. IU coach Mike Freitag said the Spartans are a talented team that will give the Hoosiers some difficulty. “They are kind of a seasoned group. ... I’m sure they are not happy of their results up to this point,” Freitag said. “I know what their players can do, and it will be a contest. This will be a very competitive game.”
(10/08/08 3:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This past weekend against unranked Michigan, the IU men’s soccer team was upset 1-0 after the lone Wolverine goal came less than two minutes into the match. But come Tuesday night, it was IU sophomore forward Daniel Kelly providing the early spark for the Hoosiers in their 2-0 win at Butler.Kelly scored his second goal of the season just 11 seconds after the opening whistle was blown, when a pass back to Butler junior goalkeeper Nick Hegeman was misplayed on the wet field. Kelly rushed in on the loose ball to put it in the back of the net and give his team a one-goal advantage. The score marked the fastest goal ever by an IU player.Kelly said the early put-in was a real momentum boost for his team the rest of the game. “This game, we wanted to come out with some intensity and bring it to them,” the forward said. “(The goal) really got the guys pumped up. We put them on their heels after that.” The Hoosiers had a couple of prime chances to increase their lead as the half trudged on. In the 23rd minute, sophomore forward/midfielder Andy Adlard nearly connected as his long-distance shot was blocked by a lunging Hegeman. Shortly after in the 27th minute, Hegeman denied another IU attacker as he kick-saved a breakaway shot from junior midfielder Eric Alexander.The second half brought a scoring opportunity for senior midfielder John Mellencamp, as he fired a shot just outside the top of the box at the goal in the 67th minute. Though the shot was blocked, sophomore forward Neil Wilmarth dove forward, got a leg on the rebound from six yards out and put the Hoosiers up 2-0.The Hoosiers demonstrated more of a defensive style of play for the remaining minutes of the second half and in the end, earned a much-needed road victory in Indianapolis.“Overall, I was very happy with our effort tonight,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “I didn’t think it was a pretty game, but it was one that we did what we needed to win. I will take that any day.”With five yellow cards earned on the season, senior midfielder Brad Ring was suspended for Tuesday night’s match. Senior midfielder John Mellencamp filled in for Ring at the defensive midfielder position while senior Billy Weaver started the match at outside midfielder.Kelly said even though their captain was absent, the team still played up to potential. “We were missing Brad (Ring), he is our leader,” he said. “But we were still able to knock it around and play the same way we are used to. Hopefully that will bring confidence to everybody.” Confidence will be key for the Hoosiers as they resume Big Ten play Sunday afternoon at Michigan State.“For us to go on the road and get a win at Michigan State is very important and will be good for our team,” Freitag said. “You have to be able to win games in the Big Ten. I am hard on these guys, but they know what needs to be done. This team knows how to win.”
(10/03/08 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The journey to the football game next month between the Hoosiers and Boilermakers will not be the only trip IU students will be making to West Lafayette this season. The third annual Bucket 100 Bike Tour, sponsored by the IU and Purdue University Habitat for Humanity chapters, is an event where cyclists from both schools travel from Bloomington to West Lafayette in hopes of raising awareness and money for their local chapters. The 122-mile expedition will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Genesis Church across from Memorial Stadium.Both the IU and Purdue chapters will compete to see who can recruit the most riders. All of the funds will go toward rebuilding a Habitat for Humanity home. The registration fee to compete in the Bucket 100 is $45 per rider, with each participant separately collecting donations for the fundraiser. Riders will begin in Bloomington and pedal to Danville Community High School in Danville, Ind., for an overnight stay. At this location, about halfway through the trip, participants will be provided with food and will have the opportunity to relax and interact with other riders and event organizers. They will finish the ride to West Lafayette the next morning. At the finish line, there will be a large tailgate for the riders to celebrate their success. Junior Adair Ahlers, director of major events publicity for Habitat, said the fundraiser is a good way to raise money for those in need. “Bloomington is such a physically active community with events such as the Little 500 each year,” Ahlers said. “Riding a bike is something that everyone has in common, and it’s great to be able to give back to Monroe County.” But while the event is a contest between the two rival schools, senior Meghann Horton said the meaning behind the Bucket 100 is much more than that.“This event is a competition between the two schools to see who can raise more money,” Horton said in an e-mail. “The ride itself is not a race, but simply a group ride about raising awareness of the Chapters, both Indiana University and Purdue University of Habitat for Humanity.” During last year’s Bucket 100 Bike Tour, the IU chapter raised more than $4,000 after registering about 15 riders. One of those riders was Jessica Donaldson, an IU alumna who last year was president of IU’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. Donaldson said the feeling of riding for such a worthwhile cause was like no other.“This was my first time on a road bike and it was so much fun,” Donaldson said in an e-mail. “I enjoyed every minute, especially meeting the other riders and hanging out at our overnight location.” The IU Habitat for Humanity works each year to eliminate substandard housing in Monroe County. For more information about the cause, visit www.iuhabitat.org.
(09/30/08 3:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After the team’s 2-1 loss to UC-Santa Barbara on Saturday night, IU men’s soccer coach Mike Freitag said his biggest concern was the “casualness” his team displayed on the field. The Hoosiers hope to show a more aggressive approach today when they travel to Evansville for an 8 p.m. showdown against the Purple Aces.This weekend’s loss dropped the Hoosiers to a No. 17 national ranking and 4-2-2 on the season. The Purple Aces are 6-2 and coming off their largest margin of victory this year, a 6-0 win over Centenary. Against UCSB, the Hoosiers started out the match with little production offensively. While there were some attacking opportunities, the Gauchos primarily controlled possession in the first half and advanced the ball with more efficiency than the Hoosiers.Defensively, IU at times appeared to have communication issues, leaving UCSB forwards open near the goal. By the time the Hoosiers picked up their play in the second half, the deficit was too much to overcome.“It was mainly focus and intensity,” sophomore midfielder Daniel Kelly said. “We need to bring it 100 percent every game. They finished chances and we didn’t – that’s basically what it comes down to.”Rich Balchan, who helped assist on the Hoosiers’ lone goal against UCSB, said despite the loss, there were some positives to take away.“We completely dominated the second half,” Balchan said. “They only had a few chances, and we limited their shot count. If we come out and play like that, we should be fine.”In the Purple Aces, IU will take on a talented team that has played well thus far, though against a weak schedule. The Hoosiers’ defense will likely focus on sophomore forward Mike Luttrull, who already has 17 points on the season, including seven goals. Freitag said the road match-up will be difficult and help show how his team responds after a tough loss. “I think they probably have the strongest team they have had in a while,” Freitag said. “Evansville is very well-balanced and has some quality players. They are competitive with anybody right now. It will be a hostile environment that our guys will have to deal with.”Kelly agreed that the game atmosphere will be unlike other road matches this year.“I think they are putting in extra bleachers for all the fans that are coming out,” Kelly said. “I know most of the guys are pretty big, are aggressive, and it will be a tough, physical game.”Although the loss this weekend was tough mentally for the Hoosiers, the team is confident they will leave Evansville victorious.“We need to bring it 100 percent every game,” Kelly said. “Hopefully, our experience will show. We just have to play with concentration for the full 90 minutes and come out with the win.”