Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Northwestern
Hoosiers Knock Off No. 6 Northwestern
10/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 14, 2007
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
EVANSTON, ILL. - No. 13 Indiana kept its perfect Big Ten record in tact as it picked up a 1-0 win over No. 6 Northwestern Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field in Evanston, Ill.
With the win the Hoosiers improve to 8-4-1, 3-0 Big Ten. The Wildcats fall to 9-2-1, 2-2 Big Ten.
Daniel Kelly scored the game's lone goal at 25:46 with a crossing roller from about 10 yards out. Billy Weaver picked up the assist on the score, playing the ball across the field and through the NU defense. Although he could not be credited with an assist on the play, the scoring sequence was set up on a long run down the left side from Charley Traylor.
It is Kelly's third goal of the season. He also had an assist on Wednesday at Louisville.
Eric Alexander put up the first on-frame shot for IU at 35:23, sending the ball in from the top of the penalty area. NU goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal got two fists on the ball, punching it back into play and Weaver collected the rebound but sent his shot high.
Just a minute later the Hoosiers were awarded a free kick from just outside the penalty box. Brad Ring took the kick with the shot rocketing off the Northwestern wall.
A nice play up the left side ended with Kevin Noschang sending the ball wide. The started with a run from Kevin Alston, who served the ball into Noschang just inches from the goal mouth.
Chay Cain's first save of the afternoon came with just over 11 minutes to go in the first half. After the Wildcats played the ball down into the corner, service into the mixer found the head of Matt Eliason but his attempt went right into the hands of Cain.
A sure goal for the Wildcats was prevented when Alston got in the net and covered for Cain, who had slid to the ground. Alston's clear out of the ball was the only thing standing between Northwestern and the game-tying goal.
Indiana held a 9-5 advantage in shots at the break, with three of those attempts on goal.
The second half was an uneventful affair until the 66th minute when a series of shots from the Wildcats had IU scrambling to cover. The Hoosiers' defense again came up with a goal-saving clearance on the line, and another shot was easily handled by Cain.
A long serve in from David Roth was met with a leaping grab from Cain with just over 12 minutes remaining, his third save of the match.
Noschang looked to put Indiana ahead by two goals on a breakaway but NU `keeper Will Briley, who came on for Rosenthal at the half, blocked the attempt.
The pace picked up in the final seven minutes as the Wildcats were desperate to get the equalizer. With just over two minutes IU was called for a handball just outside the penalty area. Roth took the shot for NU but sent the attempt high.
The Hoosiers wrap up a three-game road swing on Wednesday as they travel to in-state rival Notre Dame. Match time is 7 p.m.
