Indiana University
Michigan State
Top-Ranked Hoosiers Slowed to Draw by Wet Conditions
9/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 25, 2005
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As a constant rain loomed overhead making Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium a quagmire, the two-time defending national champion and No. 1 Indiana men's soccer team battled Michigan State to a scoreless draw in its Big Ten Conference opener. The Hoosiers controlled possession and fired 27 shots at the Spartan net, but were unable to tally the winner.
"I am pleased that the guys played to the end and didn't quit," Indiana men's soccer coach Mike Freitag said. "We tell them to play until the clock hits zero, and Brian (Plotkin) nearly scored in the final seconds. The conditions made play slow, but I felt we did a good job, especially toward the end, of putting pressure on Michigan State. They are a good opponent who is going to win some games. We just need to do a better job of putting shots away."
Senior midfielder Brian Plotkin nearly nailed the game-winner in dramatic fashion in the second overtime. The Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy candidate gathered a pass from junior Kevin Robson after he settled a Michigan State clearance in the offensive third as time was winding down. Plotkin floated a shot toward net with three seconds remaining in the contest. With only tenths of one second left, the ball struck the crossbar above the outstretched arms of MSU goalkeeper Jason Tillman preserving the 0-0 draw.
The Hoosiers came out after regulation looking for the winning tally. IU fired 10 shots at the Spartan net in the two extra frames and brought the best out of the MSU defense.
The bevy of chances began in the 105th minute when freshman forward Lee Nguyen broke free on the left side of the 18-yard box. The Richardson, Texas native, dribbled toward the center of the box and fired a low bending shot toward the right corner, but the shot drifted inches wide of the post out for a goal kick.
The Hoosiers continued to control possession as Plotkin had an open lane toward net in the 106th minute. The Lisle, Ill., native, at the top of the box, fired a strike toward the center of the net, but sailed the ball high over the crossbar. IU continued the relentless pressure as minutes later Nguyen had another opportunity for the winner.
In the 108th minute, he dribbled from left to right around defenders into the center of the box and fired a low liner toward net, only to see his shot squirt past the net on the right side wide. Nguyen and Plotkin combined for 16 shots (eight each). The eight shots are a season-high for the Hoosiers.
Freshman midfielder Brad Ring, in the 109th minute, gathered a loose ball at the midfield stripe and began a run to the top of the box. The Rockford, Ill., native was able to fire a shot through defenders only to see his effort slip past the post wide.
The water-logged pitch contributed to the slow play throughout the match. The Hoosiers started the match slow, but did outshoot the Spartans, 10-2, before the break.
In the 24th minute, Peterson sent a cross to Nguyen on right side of box, but the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week could not get enough on the shot. The ball fluttered before being denied by Tillman.
A few minutes later, it was again Peterson who created a chance for the Hoosiers. The Portage, Mich., native was cut down making a dangerous run at the top of the 18. Nguyen hit the free kick that was headed straight up by the MSU wall. It found the waiting head of junior midfielder John Michael Hayden, whose attempt went wide past the left post.
Ten minutes before halftime, Nguyen gathered a loose ball in the attacking third and caught Peterson with a through ball. The first team All-Big Ten honoree from a season ago fired a shot right into the arms of Tillman.
The Spartans' lone threat in the first half came with just 30 seconds remaining. After a foul gave MSU a free kick 30 yards out on the left side, senior midfielder Ryan McMahen bent a shot toward the left post, but IU goalkeeper Chris Munroe caught and smothered the attempt for his lone save of the afternoon. Despite only being called upon to make one stop, Munroe displayed poise and athleticism punching out dangerous balls sent into the Hoosier box.
Perhaps the Hoosiers' best chance to tally the game-winner in the second half came 10 minutes in. After Plotkin and Hayden played give-and-go on the left flank, Plotkin sent a bending cross to the middle of the six. Peterson caught the cross on a volley, but the shot went just wide of the left post.
In the waning minutes of the second half, the Spartans had their most dangerous chance of the period. McMahen sent a corner kick from the right side, bending toward net, that just missed the head of Rauwshan McKenzie and wide of the goal.
The Hoosier defense continued its stellar play on the season, registering its fifth clean sheet in seven matches. Indiana also improved to 13-0-2 in Big Ten openers and is unbeaten in its last 12 matches dating back to last season.
The Hoosiers will return to conference action on Friday, Sept. 30, in front of a national television audience. Indiana will face Penn State as part of the Fox Soccer Channel and NSCAA Game of the Week. The Big Ten tussle is slated for 7 p.m. on Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium. The first 2,000 fans will receive an IU soccer poster compliments of adidas. The last five matches between the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions have been decided by a goal or less.
