Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
SMU
Plotkin, Stevning Named MVPs in 4-0 Hoosier Victory
9/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 4, 2005
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Scoring was the theme in the conclusive match of the 23rd annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic as the two-time defending national champion and consensus No. 1 Indiana men's soccer team trounced No. 7 (NSCAA) SMU, 4-0. The Hoosiers (2-0) posted three goals in the first half to earn its 11th overall and third consecutive classic title on Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium.
"I was proud of the way the boys played today," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "We did a great job of finishing, especially in the first half. We wanted to move the ball quickly and knock it around. The boys put on an entertaining show for another great crowd. We have the best fans in college soccer, and they showed it again this weekend. It is an impressive feat to have two crowds of over 4,000 in the same weekend."
Senior midfielder Brian Plotkin, the classic's Offensive Most Valuable Player, opened the scoring in the 12th minute and notched what proved to be the game-winner. Senior midfielder Mike Ambersley, the classic's Fair Play Award winner, sent a bending cross to Plotkin at the penalty stripe. The Lisle, Ill., native pushed a header into the right side of the net to record his second goal on the season, both game-winners. The goal was Plotkin's 15th career tally and his eighth game-winner.
The senior duo hooked up one more time to put the game out of reach as Plotkin returned the favor to Ambersley just 39 seconds later. Plotkin led Ambersley up the right side where the Ballwin, Mo., native gathered the ball and sent a shot into the right side of the net from 18 yards out. The goal was Ambersley's first on the season and 12th of his career.
Junior midfielder John Michael Hayden had a chance in the 17th minute when Plotkin centered a pass to Hayden from 20 yards out. He was able to fire a low bouncing shot to the left side but was stoned by SMU goalkeeper Steve Sandbo. However, the Louisville, Ky., native was able to get on the board five minutes later.
Junior midfielder Josh Tudela sent a pass to Ambersley on the right side of the 18-yard box. Ambersley sent a bending cross to Hayden in the six-yard box where he headed the ball past Sandbo. The goal was the ninth of Hayden's career while the assist was Ambersley's second of the match and gave him four points for the third time in his career.
The Hoosiers were able to ice the match with their fourth goal in the 69th minute. Junior forward Kevin Robson dished to Tudela where the Evansville, Ind., native put a nifty spin move on the SMU defender and fired a shot into the back of the net from 12 yards. The goal was Tudela's first on the season and, ironically enough, the first regular-season marker of his career. His other two goals came in the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons.
Of note, sophomore goalkeeper Chris Munroe came up with his first career save for the Hoosiers in the second minute after SMU forward Kellan Zindel fired a shot from the corner 20 yards out. The Indianapolis, Ind., native gathered the ball without incident and would finish the match with two saves.
The Hoosier defense came up massive in the tournament not allowing a single goal in 180 minutes and only making Munroe total two saves. Sophomore back Greg Stevning was awarded the classic's Defensive Most Valuable Player after his play at center back in the defensive third.
Four Hoosiers were named to the classic's All-Tournament Team as Plotkin, Ambersley, senior midfielder Jordan Chirico and freshman forward Lee Nguyen earned the honors. No. 10 (NSCAA) Wake Forest defeated No. 16 (NSCAA) Notre Dame, 1-0, in overtime on a goal by freshman midfielder Michael Lahound. With the win, the Demon Deacons claimed second place at the classic followed by Notre Dame in third and SMU in fourth.
"Our senior leadership was the difference this weekend," Freitag said. "Jordan (Chirico), Plotkin and Mikey (Ambersley) did a great job of making sure our guys were ready to play. They are definitely players that the younger guys can look up to and they continue to prove that."
Indiana takes to the road for the first time in the 2005 season when it travels to South Bend, Ind., for the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament. The Hoosiers will battle No. 25 (NSCAA) Saint Louis on Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. at Alumni Field. Indiana will wrap up the tournament against Boston University on Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m. IU picked up overtime victories over both opponents during the 2004 season.
23rd annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic All-Tournament Selections
Indiana: Senior Midfielder Jordan Chirico
Indiana: Senior Midfielder Brian Plotkin
Indiana: Senior Midfielder Mike Ambersley
Indiana: Freshman Forward Lee Nguyen
Wake Forest: Sophomore Defender Pat Phelan
Wake Forest: Sophomore Goalkeeper Brian Edwards
Wake Forest: Freshman Midfielder Michael Lahoud
Notre Dame: Junior Midfielder Greg Dalby
Notre Dame: Junior Goalkeeper Chris Cahill
SMU: Senior Midfielder David Chun
SMU: Freshman Midfielder Jeff Harwell
Offensive MVP
Senior Midfielder Brian Plotkin, Indiana
Defensive MVP
Sophomore Back Greg Stevning, Indiana
Fair Play Award
Senior Midfielder Mike Ambersley, Indiana
