Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Kentucky
No. 9 Indiana Cruises to 4-0 Win at Kentucky
10/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2007
LEXINGTON, Ky. - It was more treats than tricks for the ninth-ranked Indiana men's soccer team as the Hoosiers (12-4-2) posted a 4-0 victory over Kentucky (6-8-2) Wednesday night at the UK Soccer Complex in Lexington, Ky.
The four goals scored are the most since a 5-4 loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 3, 2006. Indiana now leads the all-time series with Kentucky 20-1-1.
The Hoosiers controlled the run of play in the opening minutes, stringing together several nice passes but unable to put in the finishing touch. A nice through ball from Rich Balchan just missed meeting its intended target of Kevin Noshchang who had a clear path in front of him.
Indiana was awarded a direct free kick from the top of the penalty box 10 minutes in but Eric Alexander sent his attempt high. He had another shot a minute later off a pass from Balchan but could not get a good angle around the Kentucky defense and the attempt went wide.
The close calls finally paid off when Balchan broke through for his fourth goal of the season at 12:06, giving the Hoosiers a 1-0 lead. Coming off a ball played to him from Brad Ring, Balchan took a shot from about 20 yards out that sailed past UK `keeper Dan Williams.
It was 2-0 Indiana at 19:25 with a Daniel Kelly goal off an assist from Billy Weaver. Juggling the ball into the corner flag, Weaver served the ball into the six-yard area where a waiting Kelly sent it home. It is Kelly's fourth goal of the season and just the second time this year the Hoosiers have scored two goals in the first half.
IU held a slight 4-3 advantage in shots at the break but led in corner kicks, 4-1.
Chris Munroe took over in goal for the Hoosiers to start the second half and Indiana tacked on another score for a 3-0 lead at 51:25. It was Alexander with his fifth goal of the season, taking an uncontested shot from 12 yards out. Balchan and Weaver assisted on the play.
Ring added to the scoring with his fifth goal of the season, putting the Hoosiers up 4-0 at 57:20. The junior midfielder did what he does best, ripping a shot from 17 yards out that Williams had no chance of stopping.
"Today we just had everything going right for us," Weaver said. "It is great timing with the Big Ten Tournament coming up next week."
With IU comfortably in control of the match, Freitag turned to his bench as Ian Clair made just his third-ever appearance on the pitch, coming on in the 58th minute. Nick Sutter also made his third appearance of the season, taking over for Greg Stevning in the 64th minute. George Tembon also came in off the bench in the 68th minute.
The Hoosiers were playing with a truncated lineup as Kevin Alston, Darren Yeagle, Brian Ackley and John Mellencamp stayed back in Bloomington while nursing various ailments. Sophomore Lee Hagedorn earned his first career start, while Weaver was also back in the starting 11.
Indiana closes out the regular season this Sunday as they travel to Madison, Wis. for a Big Ten showdown with Wisconsin. At stake for the Hoosiers is the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and the outright regular season league title.
