Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
#10 California (Wisconsin Tournament)
Bears Trump Women's Soccer, 1-0
8/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2006
Final Stats
MADISON, Wis. - The Indiana women's soccer team opened its 2006 campaign with a hard-fought effort against No. 10 (National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll) California, but the Bears prevailed with a 1-0 victory at the Wisconsin Soccer Invitational on Friday, Aug. 25.
The Hoosiers (0-1) outshot the Bears (1-0) 11-8 in the game, but Cal got the only goal in the 40th minute of play. On a wild sequence, the Bears got four shots off in a row. The first was turned away on a brilliant save by Stacey Van Boxmeer, who was 1-on-1 with the opposing forward, and the next two were blocked by IU defenders. The rebound of the third shot fell right on the feet of California's Valerie Barnes, who put the ball in the back of the net. Torrey Delaplane picked up the lone assist on the play.
Despite the result, IU head coach Mick Lyon was pleased with his team's performance against national power Cal, which advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005.
"We played very well," Lyon said. "It was a great opener, and it was a quality game. I'm very pleased because that was a baptism to our team of how it will be in October for Big Ten contests."
The Hoosiers got stellar play from Van Boxmeer, who made three saves, all of which were high quality. According to Lyon, the junior's play gave her teammates on the back line added confidence.
"We started four freshmen so there were definitely some nerves there," Lyon said. "We panicked a bit, but worked our way into the game and did a good job. In the second half, we really brought it to them and got our back line to play strong because we had so much confidence in our keeper."
IU had a number of chances in the closing minutes to tie the game at one, including a blast from Kristin Radcliffe that skimmed off the crossbar. The Hoosiers had the game's only corner kick in the final ten minutes, but a header from freshman Jessica Boots sailed just high of the net on the play. Indiana outshot Cal 5-2 in the second half.
The Hoosiers will finish off the weekend in Madison with a game against Creighton (0-1) on Sunday, Aug. 27, at noon (EDT). The Blue Jays were topped by host Wisconsin 3-2 on Friday.
Players Mentioned
