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(07/05/07 5:01pm)
For members in IU’s Groups program, the fun has finally begun. Last week marked the start of the intramural summer season for these students, which kicked off with two days of extreme dodgeball in the racquetball courts of the Student Recreational Sports Center. \nExtreme dodgeball is played in the small, confined area of racquetball courts one and two at the SRSC, which feature glass walls and stadium seating. This viewing option proved perfect for the swarm of fans that came to cheer for their favorite teams. \n“(Extreme dodgeball) is a lot harder than it looks.” incoming freshman and Groups member Rafael Ishman said.\nAfter two days of elimination rounds, team Killa Squad was named the intramural Extreme Dodgeball champions. They conquered nine other Groups teams before being crowned the winners.\nThis week also marked the beginning of intramural flag football, which is played at the North Fee Lane fields behind John Mellencamp Pavilion and the tennis complex. The first rounds of play – which were practice games – took place Tuesday, followed by the actual tournament Thursday. \nDespite the high heat index on the fields, most Groups members expressed excitement about playing football. However, a few did not.\n“I’m not (excited),” said Groups member Chris Brinson. “I have a bad neck today.”\nOverall, the majority of the members were anticipating their chance to play. Ishman, who played football in high school, was looking forward to getting out on the field again after a career-ending injury. \n“It’ll be a nice, little way to relive the glory days.” Ishman said.\nFormer players such as Ishman helped the female participants, as well as inexperienced males, learn plays and the basics of the game. Although the experienced members of the teams were all male, the female members of Groups were also excited to toss around the pigskin. \n“I’m ready to smash somebody,” said member Eboni Rushing. “I don’t think the guys are ready to hang \nwith us.”\nNext week, the Groups members will head to the IU Outdoor Pool to play each other in water volleyball, which has never before been offered at IU as an intramural sport.
(06/20/07 11:58pm)
Coming to a large campus such as IU can be intimidating, especially when your first experiences include intensive summer classes. The members of the Groups program can verify that. In an attempt to ease the transition into college life, the intramurals programs has teamed up with Groups leaders for the fifth straight year to offer teams to these future IU grads.\nGroups is a program designed to help first-generation college students with their initial transition to college as well as other obstacles they may meet down the road. Last week, approximately 300 students moved into Teter Quad with the hope of getting acclimated to the campus, Bloomington and college classes. RecSports, which is in charge of intramural programs at IU, also hopes to become a part of their initial impression of campus.\n“It’s a way for us to introduce incoming students to RecSports,” said intramurals graduate assistant Brian Arnold. “It also gives them a way to break up their day.”\nBecause the Groups program involves academic classes, intramurals are offered as an attempt to reduce stress and give the soon-to-be freshmen a break from the classroom. James Bigsbee, the current student advisor and Groups summer program alumnus, said this is one of the greatest benefits of the program.\n“It allows (the students) to relieve stress because Groups, to me, is harder than the academic year,” Bigsbee said. “(They) do a lot of work and (they’re) constantly moving and (they) need to find a positive way to relieve stress and RecSports to me is that avenue.”\nRyan Hester, a member of Groups’ newest class, said he is looking forward to participating in intramurals.\n“(I look forward to) having a great time, enjoying myself, making sure I get a lot of exercise and trying to get fit,” he said. \nThis summer session, RecSports is offering six sports: basketball, extreme dodgeball, outdoor kickball, softball, tennis and water volleyball. Hester said he is already excited to participate in two particular sports.\n“(Extreme) dodgeball sounds like fun,” Hester said. “And maybe basketball, too.”
(06/06/07 11:55pm)
Five national championships. A 32-0 season record in 1976. Bob Knight and Branch McCracken.\nThe Hoosiers have a timeless reputation in the basketball world. Recently, the Hoosiers publicly revealed the little-known but quietly celebrated fact that a plaque has been added to the west wall of the Wildermuth gym to mark the location of the first-ever televised regular season collegiate basketball game: IU vs. Valparaiso, played Dec. 6, 1951.
(06/04/07 1:18am)
Although many campus activities in Bloomington cease during the summer, IU Campus Recreational Sports continues to offer intramurals to students who remain in town.\nThis summer school session, the Division of Recreational Sports sponsored teams in four different sports: indoor soccer, tennis, basketball and softball. Brian Arnold, an intramurals graduate assistant, said students decide what sports are offered each session.\n“As far as what sports we offer, we try to cater to the participants as much as possible,” Arnold said in an e-mail. “We offer the sports that are the most popular and that we have the most requests for. Also, we can use the summer to try new sports that we may want to add during the school year.”\nDuring the summer, Recreational Sports tries to have between 10 and 20 teams for each sport offered. Each participant has their own reasons for participating in summer intramurals, from passing time to staying in shape. Junior Paul Kuhn, who plays basketball for the team “Cincinnati,” uses intramurals as a way to escape the stresses of summer school.\n“I’m in I-Core,” Kuhn said. “It’s just something to relieve stress – something to have fun with.”\nAlthough the general atmosphere of Bloomington is more tranquil than during the school year, that is not the case on the courts and fields. Tony Lawrence, a former graduate assistant for intramurals and a current part-time referee, said that despite the smaller participant pool the intensity still remains.\n“Competition is always there,” Lawrence said. “That never leaves. The only difference is there are less teams competing.”\nBut intramurals are open to more than just current IU students. The program also works with the Groups program to provide recreational opportunities to incoming first-generation college students. This summer, 300 first-generation students will be taking part in intramurals. \nNext summer session, Recreational Sports hopes to offer basketball, softball, kickball and water volleyball. The finalized list will be released at a later date, and registration for the teams will be June 21.
(05/21/07 3:44pm)
Sunday’s weather couldn’t have been better, and neither could the final game of the Hoosier baseball team’s season. IU won the last game in a dramatic fashion in a bottom-of-the-ninth inning rally. IU and Minnesota split the series overall with two wins apiece. Although it was the end of a relatively rocky season, freshman shortstop Evan Crawford thought the series was a good way to close out the year.\n“I thought the series was a definite plus,” Crawford said. “(It) gave us a little momentum for next year. It shows what we can do when everyone’s together and focused.”\nThe first significant play of Friday’s game wasn’t until the third inning, when IU scored the first run of the game. Senior second baseman Keith Haas reached second base and advanced to third on a bunt from Crawford. Crawford was unable to make it to second base on a fielder’s choice by sophomore outfielder Andrew Means, but Haas scored on the play. \nThe Gophers quickly answered the Hoosier run with three of their own on three hits in the fourth. Third basemen Nate Hanson singled up the middle and was brought home on a double from outfielder Kyle Baran. The bases were loaded after Dan Lyons was hit by a pitch and Bryan Jost walked, advancing Baran to third. Derek McCallum singled to left field, bringing Baran and Lyons home.\nMinnesota repeated the previous inning’s performance in the fifth, scoring another three runs. The Hoosiers began their quest for a comeback in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. Senior designated-hitter Ben Greenspan singled to right center. Greenspan advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a double by freshman catcher Josh Phegley. Phegley and Greenspan both scored when junior Reid Briglia pinch-hit for junior third baseman Tyler Cox, and reached base on an error by Minnesota’s second baseman Derek McCallum. However, the surge wasn’t enough, as the Hoosiers went on to lose 8-6.\nThe Hoosiers had a stroke of luck Saturday as they split the doubleheader, winning the second game 10-7 after losing the first game 3-2. The fifth inning saw a lot of action from both teams offensively as the Golden Gophers put two runs on the board, and the Hoosiers put up four of their own. Sophomore catcher Billy O'Conner drew a walk and advanced to second on a single from Mack. Freshman third baseman Brad Henke then popped a single out to center field to load the bases, and Haas brought a runner home with his own single to center during the next at-bat. IU captured the lead when Crawford hit a sacrifice fly. Means increased the score when he hit a two-run triple.\nThe final game of the series was neck and neck for most of the game. Each team’s offense answered to the offense of the inning before, with no lead ever surpassing three runs. The top of the fourth inning proved to be the most dangerous to the Hoosiers as Hanson knocked in a grand slam, giving him a total of seven RBIs on the day. The Gophers were ahead 9-7 before the inning finally ended with a dramatic catch by Means, who made the play with his back to the outfield wall. \nThe Hoosiers finally tied the game 9-9 in the sixth inning, where it remained tied until the bottom of the ninth. Crawford was the first batter of the inning, and he hit a double to right center on the first pitch. Next up, Means singled with a well-placed bunt toward the third base foul line to advance Crawford into scoring position. Senior Michael Nilles was intentionally walked to load the bases, and after a few foul tips, Phegley knocked a single, bringing Crawford home for the game-winning run. \nWith the season officially over, IU coach Tracy Smith said he looks forward to next season, but admits there is much work to be done between now and then.\n“It’s no secret,” Smith said. “Our hitting was not good this year, and that’s something we’re going to have to do a better job of, and that’s going to be through development and also through recruiting.”\nSmith will have four spots to fill in his roster next season as seniors Greenspan, Nilles, Haas and infielder Josh Richardson officially ended their college baseball careers on Sunday. Although he is no longer a part of the team, Nilles is very optimistic about the Hoosier baseball team’s future and thinks that nearly every member of the team will excel in the upcoming years.\n“I mean, everyone up and down the line (is promising in the future),” Nilles said. “This program’s really looking up.”
(05/04/07 4:00am)
Come Saturday, most seniors will be walking the stage and going out to expensive dinners with their parents – but not all of them. A few will instead be running the baseline and swinging for the fences. Friday commences IU baseball’s series against Iowa in Iowa City.\nThis weekend’s game plan consists of the opener on Friday, a double-header Saturday, and the closing game Sunday. Although the team had less practice this week because of finals, they still hope to take the momentum from last week’s games. The Hoosiers took the last two games from Penn State in the four-game series, breaking their 10-game losing streak. \nDespite Iowa’s recent winning streak of nine games, the Hoosiers are optimistic about ending that streak this weekend.\n“(We want to) do the things we know we can do right,” said sophomore pitcher Tyler Tufts. “If we play the baseball we know we can play, we should have no problem (winning).”\nCurrently IU sits 10th in the conference standings, above only Northwestern. With hopes of a conference tournament appearance, the Hoosiers must figure out how to snake their way into 6th place with five remaining series, with three against conference foes.\nIowa most recently defeated Upper Iowa, 16-5. The Hawkeyes saw strong performances from infielder T.J. Cataldo and Travis Sweet. Cataldo had a career-high 5 RBIs against Upper Iowa. Sweet was recently named a Big Ten Co-Player of the Week after leading his team to a sweep of the Northwestern Wildcats. It was their first series sweep since 1991. \nDuring the sweep of the Northwestern Wildcats, Sweet batted .588 with a .696 on base percentage. He also scored 11 runs and tied his previous season total of three home runs. \nAlthough the Hoosiers have not seen the same luck as the Hawkeyes recently, IU coach Tracy Smith isn’t concerned with his team’s performance. Acknowledging the youngness of the team, he knows there is still a lot to build up, including the mental preparedness of the players before each game.\n“I’m just looking for improvement,” Smith said. “Improvement in not only how we’re swinging the bat but just how we approach the game.”\nSophomore outfielder Andrew Means agrees the mental approach to the game is an important one for the Hoosiers to work on.\n“As a team, we just want to go and play solid baseball,” Means said. “Just go out there and not have any mental errors. We’ll worry about the wins after the game.”
(04/27/07 4:00am)
While most trips between Indiana and Mexico begin in Indianapolis and end south of the border, this weekend a group of young athletes will do the exact opposite. The Mexican Under-20 team, known as El Tricolores, will arrive in the Hoosier state to take on both Notre Dame and IU this weekend. \nNotre Dame will be the first to host Mexico, with the game being played Friday night in South Bend. The Hoosiers will then get their shot at one \nof the leading U-20 teams in the world on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Bill Armstrong Stadium. \nMexico’s team currently features several players from the U-17 team that beat Brazil for the U-17 World Cup in 2005. Its star player, Giovani dos Santos, has been dubbed the “heir to Ronaldinho” according to FIFA.com. Dos Santos was awarded the Silver Ball at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup.\nThis will be the third meeting between IU and Mexico. Currently, the teams have a split series with IU defeating Mexico in the last meeting, 2-0. Although the Hoosiers have already taken on both an MLS team and the collegiate team with the most national championships this spring season, freshman midfielder Eric Alexander believes this will be the toughest match yet.\n“It should be real tough,” Alexander said. “They’re probably one of the best teams in the world for their age group. It should be fun. We’ll be happy to be out there and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd, too.”\nDespite the great challenge in front of the team, junior midfielder Charley Traylor senses anticipation about this match from his teammates. \n“I think the players are a lot more excited to play this team than other teams we’ve played this season,” Traylor said.\nTraylor also said the match will be a good opportunity to play competition that the team doesn’t normally compete against and noted that the Hoosiers have high hopes to end the season strong. Coach Mike Freitag agrees that this matchup will be a good game and also a challenge for his players, but thinks they are ready for it.\n“It’s an exciting game,” Freitag said. “This is a little bit different. My guys look for this type of challenge. It’s what they want.” \nUnfortunately for the Hoosiers, this challenge will have to be attacked with the absence of one of their most powerful players. Freshman forward Darren Yeagle, who scored the first goal of the spring season in the game against the Louisville Cardinals, tore his ACL during last weekend’s game against Cincinnati. Although this is a setback for both the team and Yeagle, Freitag anticipates a full recovery and looks forward to his return sometime next season.\n“We’ve been very fortunate,” Freitag said. “We haven’t had an injury like this in a while. But we’ve had them over the years, and guys have come back as strong as ever, and I expect Darren to come back stronger than ever.”
(04/25/07 4:00am)
Every weekend, college students across the country put pingpong balls to good use – by tossing them into plastic cups full of beer. However, the IU Table Tennis Club knows pingpong balls offer other uses besides drinking games and knows they can bring bigger victories, too.\nThe club, which meets regularly in the upstairs gym of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building, consists of a very small group of about 10 regular members. So small, in fact, that they did not qualify for the national championship due to the lack of eligible members. This does not stop the group from enjoying its favorite past-time or each other’s company. \nWen Huang, whose wife works for the Kinsey Institute, joined the club in 1999 and is still an active member today. Huang mentioned that the club is extremely multicultural, and that they not only share table tennis information with each other but their cultures as well.\n“Almost everyone here comes from different countries,” Huang said. “We have anywhere from eight to nine different countries (represented). So we are here not just to play pingpong, but also to give information and give culture – to get to know each other.”\nThe club managed to volley their way to a third place national ranking in 2003 at the table tennis championship, but were suspended as a team soon after due to a lapse in leadership position candidates. Current president Abbas Shirinifard said that miscommunications lead to their year of probation, but that the team is now fully aware of IU’s club team rules and plans to stick around for a while.\nShirinifard says that there are many misconceptions about table tennis, including the level of athleticism involved.\n“People think table tennis is very slow or just a hobby in the basement and you can’t spend any energy on this,” Shirinifard said. “But I’m pretty sure (inexperienced players) could play just two sets and that would kill (them). It’s very energy consuming.”\nShirinifard’s teammate senior Michael Mendelson agrees that the level of athleticism is often under-appreciated, as well as the skill level involved.\n“The beauty of the sport is that among other basic athletic principles, such as balance and coordination, this game is tremendously psychological,” Mendelson said. “The clever players are the ones who win.”\nAlthough many members are high-level players, the club encourages others of any skill level to join in its quest for a shot at the national championship, which Shirinifard hopes to do in the near future.\n“Next year, hopefully,” he said.
(04/23/07 4:00am)
For the second weekend in a row, the IU men’s soccer team traveled up to Indianapolis to battle not only a tough opponent, but also less-than-ideal playing conditions. The hard, uneven field of Warren Central High School proved to be a speed bump in the Hoosiers’ offensive attack as it tied Cincinnati 1-1 during the Literacy Classic on Friday. \nSophomore midfielder Brad Ring scored the lone goal for the Hoosiers in the 44th minute off an assist from sophomore forward Kevin Noschang. While IU’s style of play was more organized, the Bearcats took several erratic shots before getting one around goalkeeper Chay Cain in the 74th minute. Cincinnati had both more shots on goal as well as more corner kicks than the Hoosiers. Cain had three saves in addition to the one shot he allowed. \nIU coach Mike Freitag called the game “so-so,” and blamed his team’s mediocre play partially on the rough field conditions. \n“This game was a game that was different than we were used to,” Freitag said. “We didn’t adapt quickly enough.” \nRing agreed that the conditions were not the greatest. He also attributed the Hoosiers’ playing to the conditions, saying that Cincinnati was no different than any other team IU faces. \n“They were dangerous at times,” said Ring. “But (they were) nothing we hadn’t seen before.” \nSophomore midfielder John Mellencamp said that it was disappointing to tie the game, and agreed with Ring that the Bearcats were not one of their toughest opponents. Mellencamp believed that most of Cincinnati’s close calls were more from a lack of defense than a stand-out offense. \n“I’d give them some credit,” Mellencamp said. “But also some focus here and there (on IU’s part) would have prevented the goal.” \nAlthough the game may not have been the most athletically challenging for the Hoosiers, Mellencamp cited that it was good practice for their next opponent, the Mexican national Under-20 team. What may be their most challenging game of the spring season, the Hoosiers will take on El Tri at 3 p.m. next Sunday. Mexico’s roster will include several players from the U-17 team which beat Brazil in 2005 to win the U-17 World Cup.
(04/20/07 4:00am)
The IU soccer team’s players know good time management. They practice, attend class and compete regularly, yet they also manage to give back to the community. \nThis weekend, the Hoosiers get to combine two tasks into one as they take on the Cincinnati Bearcats as a part of the Literacy Classic in Indianapolis.\nThe Literacy Classic is a tournament featuring men’s and women’s teams from IU, Butler, Ohio State, Illinois-Chicago, Cincinnati and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis.\nProceeds from the event will be used to donate supplies to underprivileged children in the Warren Township elementary-school system. \nIU coach Mike Freitag believes community service is a positive activity for his team during the lull of the spring exhibition season. The team has regularly contributed to the Shalom Community Center soup kitchen, and it helped out at WonderLab last weekend.\n“The guys are really giving back to the community,” Freitag said. \nCincinnati is the only featured team the Hoosiers did not play during the previous season. However, this is not the first time IU has faced the Bearcats in spring exhibition play. \nSophomore midfielder John Mellencamp said last year was a “close match” between the two rivals and thinks the Bearcats are going to challenge the Hoosiers again this spring. \n“They’re going to come out. They’re going to be ready to play,” Mellencamp said. “It’s going to be a good game. But if we come out fired up I think we can get the job done, though.”\nComing out fired up shouldn’t be hard for the Hoosiers. \nLast weekend, they defeated in-state rival Notre Dame 2-0. Both goals were scored by sophomore forward Kevin Noschang, who said he saw increased confidence in the team after its strong performance last weekend.\n“As a team I think we played well,” Noschang said. “That definitely showed in training this week. We had a lot of confidence, and the guys are playing well so we’re hopefully going to take that into (this weekend’s) game.”\nFreitag also hopes his team carries the momentum from the win into this weekend, but he hopes the team doesn’t forget the steps it took to get that win.\n“I hope they remember what they did to get that success,” he said. “I don’t want them to get too caught up in the win and forget the strides they took to get there.”
(04/18/07 4:00am)
This isn’t your typical recess game, and these aren’t your typical players. \nIn only its second year of existence, the extreme dodgeball intramural season is under way. Consisting of 54 teams this year, the league’s regular season has recently concluded and the players anxiously await next week’s release of the playoff bracket.\nThe concept of extreme dodgeball as an intramural sport was borrowed from Ball State University and suggested to IU’s Intramural Sports Council three years ago. It was approved for commencement and was officially listed as an intramural sport last year. \nThe rules of the game are a bit different than the typical gym-class rules from elementary school. \nFor starters, the games are played in racquetball courts at the Student Recreational Sports Center. The courts’ closed spaces make for a more intense atmosphere. Intramural sports graduate assistant Eric Kammeyer has noticed that the players generally enjoy the playing environment.\n“People love it because of the tight quarters,” Kammeyer said.\nThe game is played with five foam balls, not the typical rubber kickballs usually used. Each team consists of either three or four people, and the matches are won by a best of 15 series. The games are fast-paced and self-officiated. \nThis is senior Leigh Boje’s first year participating in extreme dodgeball, but she is no stranger to the intramural circuit – her basketball team won the women’s Division I intramural championships earlier this semester. Her friends motivated her to play dodgeball, she said.\n“I’m a senior, but I’ve never gotten into the whole dodgeball scene,” she said. “It’s quite entertaining. I like it a lot.”\nEveryone has his or her reasons for playing dodgeball. Junior Roger Jackson attributes the Ben Stiller movie “Dodgeball” to rekindling his childhood love for the game. Jackson likes the game for the fast-paced intensity.\n“(I like) the motions, the real quick game,” he said. “You can’t stand around too long or you’re going to get hit and be out.”\nJackson’s teammate Andrew McIntyre also enjoys the game for its fun and intense atmosphere, but also appreciates its health benefits as well.\n“It’s a funny sport,” McIntyre said. “But you get exercise, too.”
(04/16/07 4:00am)
Although the winter weather is making a late appearance in the year, a key spring win for the Hoosiers soccer team couldn’t have come sooner. Overcoming sleet, wind and freezing temperatures, IU pulled out a 2-0 victory this weekend against in-state rival Notre Dame. \nBoth goals were scored by sophomore forward Kevin Noschang, one off an assist by freshman forward Darren Yeagle and the second off an assist by sophomore midfielder Doug Reisinger. Freshman midfielder Eric Alexander and sophomore midfielder John Mellencamp led the team in shots with three each. The Hoosiers outshot Notre Dame 15-6 on the night, due to both organized offense and a tight defense. \n“We’ve been working on both sides of the ball (during practice),” said IU coach Mike Freitag. “We defended well (Saturday), and we moved the ball well, too.” \nNoschang’s strong performance was key for the Hoosiers. From the very beginning, Noschang had high hopes for the evening. \n“We wanted to come out and get a win,” Noschang said. “We wanted to make a statement, and I think we did tonight.” \nThe game was not played in ideal conditions. During the game, it began to sleet, which worsened an already wet pitch. The grass in Indianapolis’ Kuntz Stadium was also longer than what is typical on a soccer field. \nStill, that didn’t deter the cream and crimson.\n“I think we were focused,” Freitag said. “We dealt with the elements well, like the wind, the sleet and the field.” \nFreshman defender Ofori Sarkodie attributes this focus to the growing chemistry of the team. \n“We made some big strides as a team,” Sarkodie said. “We had organized defense, we attacked the ball as a team and we did well communicating.” \nNotre Dame’s biggest threat, Joseph Lapira, made only a short appearance in the game because he is still recovering from a recent surgery. The M.A.C. Hermann trophy winner, soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy winner, did not start and only played half the game as a substitute. His only shot of the night was blocked by Sarkodie.
(04/13/07 4:00am)
This weekend the IU men’s soccer team will travel up to Indianapolis to take on in-state rival Notre Dame. \nAlthough the game will be played on neutral ground, it’s not the venue that will be a challenge for the Hoosiers – it’s the competition. \nNotre Dame’s roster touts this year’s Missouri Athletic Club Hermann trophy winner, junior forward Joseph Lapira. \nThe Hermann trophy is the most prestigious trophy awarded in college soccer to an individual player, with previous winners including IU’s own Todd Yeagley (1994) and Danny O’Rourke (2004). Lapira leads the NCAA in goals with 22, and racked up six assists last season. \nLapira has an impressive record against the Hoosiers. \nDuring last year’s 5-4 overtime IU loss to the Fighting Irish, Lapira scored four of the five goals, which included the game winner. Because of his scoring explosion, Lapira was awarded the offensive MVP of the Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.\nHowever, the Hoosiers may get off easy. \nLapira recently underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee and it is unclear if he will take the field this weekend. IU coach Mike Freitag doesn’t like the idea of a less challenging game for his team.\n“I hope (Lapira is playing),” Freitag said. “We’d like to play against the college player of the year. We like those kinds of challenges.”\nThe teams will be facing off at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. \n“It doesn’t really matter where it’s at,” freshman forward Darren Yeagle said. “The game is always going to be a good battle.”\nThe Hoosiers last beat Notre Dame in 2005, 3-0, which included an unassisted goal by former IU standout Lee Nguyen, who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
(04/09/07 4:00am)
The IU men’s soccer team finally got its first win of the spring season this past weekend. By using the depth of its bench, the Hoosiers overpowered the Louisville Cardinals for a 1-0 exhibition win Friday.\nThe Hoosiers outshot the Cardinals 15-11 with seven different Hoosiers contributing to that statistic. Overcoming the brisk, below-freezing temperatures Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium proved difficult for the team, but not nearly as difficult as the aggressive play of the Cardinals. It seems as though coach Mike Freitag’s experimentation is beginning to see results. \nThe Hoosiers were charged with 18 fouls during the course of the game. Louisville had 12 called against them. Although such a hostile game could come with the risk of injuries, Freitag thinks aggressive teams are good to face.\n“(Aggression is) good to have,” he said. “You want teams that are going to fight.” \nFreshman midfielder Eric Alexander said it helps to boost morale when the team has to fight for the win. Alexander fought hard against the Cardinals, taking five shots during the match. One of his shots bounced off the goalpost and into the waiting trap of freshman forward Darren Yeagle, who got the shot over the goalkeeper and scored the first goal of the spring season for the Hoosiers. \n“It would have been better if I got the goal,” said Alexander. “But it was good Darren was there to tap it in.” \nIf the record is any indication of the future of the team, soccer fans have a right to be optimistic. Not only is Freitag finding the best positions for his players, but the team is beginning to feel comfortable in their roles, and the younger members are finding their confidence, all while accommodating to their teammates around them. \n“Tonight especially we were on the same page,” said Yeagle. “We’re definitely starting to come together now.” \nThe Hoosiers next face rival Notre Dame on Saturday in Indianapolis.
(04/06/07 4:00am)
There are some changes being made to Bill Armstrong Stadium. \nAlong with the addition of seating and lighted signals in preparation for the Little 500 bicycle race, the IU men’s soccer team is looking to make a few changes of its own – like getting a win on the field this spring.\nThe Hoosiers welcome the Louisville Cardinals today for their second home game of the spring season. \nAlthough IU currently has an 0-2 record on the exhibition season, both losses have come to quality opponents. The first loss was to Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew; the second came last weekend to St. Louis. St. Louis is the only collegiate team with more national titles than IU.\nWhile the losses were tough matches, IU coach Mike Freitag doesn’t like the losing record his team is holding.\n“Even though I’ve been pleased with our play, we don’t like the habit of losing,” Freitag said. “We’ll hopefully get on the winning track again.”\nDuring last fall’s regular season, the Hoosiers bested the Cardinals by a score of 2-0. Although most of the Hoosier players who contributed to this win will be facing the Cardinals again this weekend, \nsophomore midfielder Brad Ring still thinks this weekend’s game will be an athletic challenge.\n“It’ll be a real competitive game,” Ring said. “Hopefully we’ll just come out with a victory.”\nFreshman midfielder Lee Hagedorn is optimistic about the outcome of this weekend, as well as the development of the team so far this spring.\n“I feel pretty confident going into this weekend,” Hagedorn said. “(The) past couple games have been pretty tough, but I think we’ve learned a lot. I think we’re starting to come together pretty well.”\nAlong with the Cardinals, the \nHoosiers will host several other individuals involved in soccer. This weekend, IU is hosting the Midwest Soccer Coaches \nSymposium, which is designed as a forum for coaches to discuss “offensive and defensive principles, technical and tactical development and positional play,” according to www.iuhoosiers.com. Louisville’s coach Ken Lolla will be a clinician in the symposium.
(04/02/07 4:00am)
IU men’s soccer coach Mike Freitag treats the spring season as an opportunity for individual improvement and experimentation with the lineup. Based on the last two games, it seems he hasn’t quite found the killer combination on the field that he needs to win. \nThe Hoosiers lost 1-0 on Saturday to the Saint Louis Billikens at Bill Armstrong Stadium. In the first half the Hoosiers had a hard time retaining possession of the ball and were unable to execute on penalty and corner kicks.\n“We started off a little timid,” said freshman back Ofori Sarkodie. “We were able to find our rhythm a little later into the half.” \nThe Billikens got their first open look at a goal a little more than a minute into the game, but it was kicked out. From the moment the game started, everyone could feel the high level of aggression between the two teams. \nSophomore midfielder Brad Ring was called for a foul as he attempted to drive his shoulder into a defender. Not long after, IU freshman Daniel Kelly and Billikens midfielder Kyle Hayes got into a tangle and exchanged words before a referee separated the two. \n“They’re always more aggressive toward us,” said freshman Darren Yeagle. “Because (they know) we’re better than them.” \nThe closest the Hoosiers came to scoring came midway through the first half. Sophomore Billy Weaver was tripped up and a foul was called on the Billikens. Freshman midfielder Eric Alexander took the free kick, which bounced off the goal post. \nGoing into halftime the Hoosiers’ stats looked dismal. They only had two shots to the Billiken’s five. But, the pace of the game changed coming out of the locker room, as the Hoosiers proceeded to take nine shots the second half to the Billiken’s two. Kelly attributed this to a change in the style of play discussed during the half. \n“I think it was moving quicker in the back,” Kelly said. “Finding both the wides and the forwards first.” \nSeveral times the Hoosiers got the ball into dangerous territory for the Billikens, but they were unable to finish plays before having the ball kicked out. But when the Billikens moved the ball into IU territory, they found more luck. Early into the second half, Saint Louis midfielder Eric Sweeten headed the ball over the hands of IU’s sophomore goalkeeper Chay Cain, making the score 1-0. The Hoosiers were unable to catch up. \nDespite the loss, Freitag said he saw many positives throughout the game, especially in the second half.\n“First half, I thought we were sloppy,” Freitag said. “Second half, I liked what we did. I felt we came out and put them under pressure.” \nFreitag knows his team is still young and has a few more standards to meet, but indicated that things could only improve as the season goes on. \n“It’s springtime. Buds are just starting to show,” he said. “I’m waiting for things to bloom. We still got a little ways to go.”
(03/30/07 4:00am)
After coming off a tough road loss to Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew last weekend, the IU men’s soccer team is ready to take the field for the second time this spring.\nThe Hoosiers host the St. Louis Billikens at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nWhile last week’s game resulted in the team’s first loss of the spring exhibition season, the Hoosiers are proud of their showing and are hoping to feed off that energy as they head into the weekend.\n“We’ve had good practices all week,” said freshman midfielder Eric Alexander. “We’ve just come off a pretty close 1-0 game to a professional team, so that was an uplifter for our spirits.”\nIU has faced the Billikens in the past, losing a game last fall in St. Louis.\n“St. Louis is always a very competent team,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “We know it will be a challenge again.”\nAlthough the Billikens won the last meeting between the two schools, IU might have a leg up this time. At the end of its season, St. Louis lost a whopping seven players to the MLS draft and graduation. IU lost only four.\nLast week’s game against the Crew was a good learning experience for the Hoosiers. But sophomore midfielder John Mellencamp said it will be nice to gauge themselves against a team playing at the same level. \n“I feel like the team is pretty excited to play someone other than ourselves,” he said. “We just want to play another college team to see how we’ve been progressing throughout the spring.”\nLike most teams, the Hoosiers always want to win. But both the team and the coaching staff know the spring season is meant for team growth and individual improvement.\n“Every time you play, you get to know each other a little bit better, and I think that’s what I want this spring,” Freitag said. “At least have some understanding of each other before going into next fall.”\nAlexander can attest to the team’s growing solidification. “We have good team chemistry right now.”\nMellencamp said he is ready to perform under the lights of Bill Armstrong Stadium.\n“I’m definitely excited to have some of our fans come out and root us on while we try to take it to another team,” he said.
(03/26/07 4:00am)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – During their years at IU, former Hoosier standout soccer players Danny O’Rourke, Jed Zayner and Ned Grabavoy received their A’s in “Soccer 101.” Now, all three players have reached the next level as professional players for MLS’s Columbus Crew. \nThis Saturday they had the opportunity to face their former team and lead its younger players by example in an exhibition match played at Capital University. After seeing their proteges in action, during the Crew’s 1-0 victory, these seasoned players were able to critique their performances.\n“They did well today,” said Zayner of the current IU team. Zayner sat out due to an injury. “I can’t wait to see them play this coming year.”\nO’Rourke was equally impressed with the Hoosiers’ showing.\n“When any college team plays a professional team they kind of bunker in a lot,” he said. “They played real good defense and it was hard to break them down. (It was) a tribute to them to only let one goal in.”\nIU has a long history with the Columbus Crew. Eight former IU players have gone on to play in Columbus.\n“It was great,” O’Rourke said. “Two Midwest teams with such a tradition together with the guys who played in the past like Todd (Yeagley) and guys like Ned (Grabavoy) who have come through.”\nLife has gone on for these three since their departures from IU in 2003 and 2004. All made appearances with the Chicago Fire Premier, a developmental team, before heading to teams such as the Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Red Bull New York before ending up with the Crew. \nAlthough professional and amateur soccer come with different perks, Grabavoy has come to enjoy his new life.\n“I like it a lot. I think college was a good step for me to get ready – at Indiana especially,” he said. “I like waking up every day and knowing that I’m not just going to train but that’s kind of my job as well.”\nSeeing the new generation of IU players also brought back some old feelings in the graduates.\n“It was fun,” Zayner said after the game. “I saw those boys come out in the white jerseys, and I just remembered how awesome of a time I had at Indiana. I just wanted to suit up again.”\nO’Rourke felt nostalgic after playing his old team.\n“It’s good to play against guys you’re familiar with and see the coaches,” O’Rourke said. “It’s a fun time.”
(03/26/07 4:00am)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite its relative lack of experience, the IU soccer team still made a strong showing against MLS’s Columbus Crew, who IU played in an exhibition match on Saturday.\n“It was a great learning experience for our guys today,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “I think we handled ourselves pretty well. We did all right.”\nDue to rain the night before and early Saturday morning, the turf at Capital University’s soccer field was more like a Slip ‘n Slide than a soccer pitch.\nAfter a last-minute venue change, the Hoosiers took the field at Capital instead of the Crew’s training facility, where the game was originally scheduled. \nThe challenges for the Hoosiers were evident immediately. \nThe Crew got its first shot attempt within minutes of the beginning of the game, but Hoosier goalkeeper sophomore Chay Cain made the save.\nEarly in the game, sophomore Billy Weaver tried to push off defender Marcos Gonzalez when driving toward the goal. Weaver was the first, but certainly not the last Hoosier penalized. \nIU’s Neil Wilmarth received a yellow card during the second half after he tripped up midfielder Eddie Gaven in a scramble toward the goal. \nAt halftime, Cain switched out with junior Chris Munroe in goal. \nNot long after Wilmarth received the yellow card, Crew forward Brad Evans took a shot which got around Monroe and hit the inside of the post before bouncing out to make the score 1-0.\nThe style of play between the two teams was obviously different, with the Crew making longer and more deliberate plays than IU. \nThey made the Hoosier squad run for the ball, but IU soon picked up on this style of play themselves. Freshman midfielder Dan Kelly was given an open look for a goal after much movement by the team, but his shot was wide. The Crew took the ball downfield, where forward Andy Herron took the last shot of the game and missed.\nAlthough the Hoosiers lost the game, IU coach Mike Freitag still considered it a success.\nFreitag said he has noticed improvement in the team’s cohesiveness since its scrimmage in the beginning of March and thinks the team will continue to grow together with the lessons they learned on Saturday.\n“It is a game that made us better,” Freitag said. “Guys had to be more focused and communication had to be better.”\nFreitag was not the only Hoosier member to notice the improvement in communication on the field. Cain observed a difference during Saturday’s game as well.\n“Communication was very good, which is one thing we’ve been working on,” he said. “Also, defensively, especially in the first half, we looked real good.”\nThis was Kelly’s first game in the cream-and-crimson uniform and he has already seen the team’s progress since the beginning of the semester.\n“I thought we did really well,” Kelly said. “Actually, I think we communicated well because during our first game when we played each other in the inter-squad, we were sort of negative and this time we were positive and helping each other out.”
(03/21/07 4:00am)
With the weather finally warming up and the gates to Woodlawn Field unlocked, the men’s ultimate frisbee team, known as the HoosierMama?s, is hitting the turf in hopes of continuing their tradition as a powerful ultimate team while heading into the end of the season.\nLast year, the HoosierMama?s came in fourth in regionals where they faced teams including Michigan, Ohio State and Oberlin. This was the second year in a row that the team placed in the top five. Along with their winning record, the team has also seen its membership grow over the years. \n“When I first came here we had enough to play,” senior Rob Greenberg said. “But over the last couple of years we’ve had enough for B-teams to send to tournaments with the goal of development rather than winning.”\nThis year the roster adds up to about 30 members. However, the team has decided to play as one big team rather than splitting up into A and B teams.\nBecause ultimate frisbee is a club sport and may not be offered at some schools, the seasons are set up so that schools host tournaments and invite other teams rather than regularly scheduled games as done in other varsity sports. Although these tournaments act as the “regular season” for the ultimate teams, the results offer little basis for who will continue on to sectionals or regionals.\n“The emphasis is on the college series.” Greenberg said.\nThe Mama?s face off against teams from Bradley, Northwestern, Illinois and Purdue during sectionals, but also make appearances at several of the national tournaments. \nThe team attends a Mardi Gras tournament in Baton Rouge, La. every year during the weekend prior to Fat Tuesday, as well as a tournament in Atlanta during spring break. \nThis year, the team tied for ninth in Baton Rouge and tied for 13th in Atlanta.\nThe HoosierMama?s had a rough start this season; losing games and placing poorly in tournaments. However, after a long winter of practice and conditioning, the Mama?s are looking forward to heading into sectionals.\n“The fall was a tough time for us,” says fifth-year senior Cody Andrews. “I’m feeling better about our chances. I think that we’ll really capitalize and just reap the benefits of the hard winter we put in.”\nSectionals begin April 13 in Naperville, Ill. and regionals will take place in Champaign, Ill. later in the spring. The Mama?s have not had a squad advance to nationals since 1991.\nSophomore Ben Mertz, who played in high school and was introduced to the Mama?s by his brother when he began attending IU, agrees that the end of the season is looking hopeful.\n“I think we’ve gotten much better as a team,” Mertz said. “We had some really intense winter practices so we really got better from the fall and I really think we have a good shot at getting to nationals.”