Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Butler
Indiana Falls 4-1 to Butler
10/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 27, 2010
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Junior striker Will Bruin scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season but it was not enough to dig Indiana (8-5-2) out of the first-half hole it had created in a 4-1 loss to Butler (14-0-1) Wednesday night on Jerry Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium.
An early miscue by the Hoosiers gifted a goal to the Bulldogs in the 15th minute for the 1-0 lead. Indiana goalkeeper Luis Soffner had collected the ball and looked to sidearm it up the field. At the last minute he made the decision to pull back, however the ball slipped out of his hand and dribbled to the foot of Austin Oldham who knocked in the put back for his fourth goal of the season.
"I think we somewhat spiraled after that first goal," said head coach Todd Yeagley. "Tonight we made some decisions that were not the best. But this group is still learning. Our guys are ready to move on."
After that early surprise the Hoosiers took control of the match, maintaining possession and making noise around Fabian Knopfler in the Butler goal. Indiana's best chance came with just over 17 minutes to play as a diving header from Bruin was tipped out by Knopfler, setting up an IU corner kick. Senior Andy Adlard played the ball into the box, right onto the head of sophomore Caleb Konstanski who had been left unmarked. Konstanski turned his shot wide, leaving the Hoosiers scoreless.
It looked as though Indiana would go into the halftime break down just a goal but scores from Jacob Capito and Tyler Pollock within 41 seconds of each other saw IU needing to climb out of a 3-0 deficit at the break. Capito's goal was an unassisted shot from 30 yards out that rocketed into the top left corner at 42:45. Pollock scored the first of his two goals on the night by chesting a ball from Adekunle Oluyedun before one-timing it from the 15-yard spot.
"They made plays and capitalized on the chances they were given," Yeagley said. "They are a nice team and a very confident group. They were well organized tonight."
Down but not out, the Hoosiers came out of the lockerroom on the offensive and nearly had their first goal when Bruin's header off an Adlard corner kick was just high. Four minutes later in the 53rd minute junior Chris Estridge had a nice idea with a thru ball up the middle to senior Daniel Kelly, but the ball had just a tad too much juice on it and Knopfler was able to scoop it up.
Indiana's offensive-minded play finally paid off when Burin powered home his 13th goal of the season at 53:34. Sophomore Joe Tolen, who now has a goal and two assists in his last two matches, played the ball up to Bruin who was making his run up the middle. His shot from the 18-yard line froze Knopfler and brought the Hoosiers back to within two scores.
With 23 minutes to play Indiana had a chance to capitalize on a free kick as junior Tommy Meyer served the ball into a crowded penalty area. The ball ping-ponged off a few players before making its way to Konstanski, who sent his show high over the cross bar.
Junior Nate Mitchell, who came on in goal at the start of the second half for IU, kept it a two-goal match with a brilliant save on a shot from Ben Sippola, laying out to his right for a fingertip save that redirected the ball out of harms way.
Butler left no doubt as to the outcome of the match as Pollock put an exclamation point on the Bulldogs win with some nifty footwork on the ball before slamming it home from 20 yards out in the 77th minute.
The Bulldogs finished with a slim 13-11 edge in shot attempts, but nine of their 13 looks were on frame. Indiana had four on-net looks, with three of Bruin's team-high six shot attempts hitting the target area.
Indiana must bounce back quickly as it plays host to Northwestern Sunday at 5 p.m. in a match with Big Ten title implications. With a victory Sunday the Hoosiers will clinch the 2010 regular season title outright. Kids are encouraged to come dressed in costume with candy and prize giveaways. In addition, IU's senior class of Adlard, Kelly, Rich Balchan and Cameron Jordan will be honored prior to the start of the match.
Players Mentioned
