New Players Leave Their Mark

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The "new guys" didn't look particularly new in Indiana's 1-0 win over St. John's on Friday.

Seven Hoosiers made their Indiana debuts in the regular season home opener. All seven managed to change the game in one way or another.

Maybe no one more so than redshirt junior midfielder Phil Fives. After sitting out all of last season, the Akron transfer netted what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 32nd minute of his first appearance as a Hoosier.

"Goals change games. We say that all the time, for or against," Yeagley said. "I think the guys were really happy for Phil, too. You're always rooting for your teammates, but then for Phil, they were really happy to see him score. The way we did it was a nice combination we've been working on."

Another new face, senior transfer Ben Maurey, was partially responsible for Fives' goal.

A passing combination between he and sophomore defender Grant Lillard opened up the field for Fives, giving him the space he needed to send a left-footed strike that beat the St. Johns' keeper to the far post.

"It was just great," Fives said. "We all put on a good performance. It was nice to put one away for the team and get the first win of the season."

While Fives' goal proved to be the difference maker, the Bloomington crowd may have given their loudest applause to another freshman making his debut.

Elsewhere, freshman Andrew Gutman put in a strong performance on the back line, fitting in well with a defense that allowed St. John's to get off just six shots.

Jeremiah Gutjahr, another freshman defender, received arguably the loudest applause from the home crowd when he checked in to play the final eight minutes.

The Bloomington native played in front of the home-town fans for eight minutes in his first opportunity to see the field. He managed to have a quiet night, helping Indiana shut down St. John's late attacks to find an equalizer.

"What a great moment for him to get into the game," Yeagley said. "You heard the place go crazy when he went in…I was happy for him for him to get out onto the field."

Gutman credited Indiana's veterans for helping he and the other new Hoosiers seamlessly transition into the playing rotation. He and the other freshmen and transfers have been able to lean on the older players, asking questions and learning as they go.

"I was a little nervous going into the ninety, but the guys got around me," Gutman said. "They were like, 'Don't worry about it. Just relax and have fun.' So that's what I did."

Gutman and his teammates are hoping the fun continues Sunday when the Hoosiers take on Notre Dame in the second leg of the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.

With now one game in the books, Indiana will look to build on any momentum it could salvage from Friday night. A game that, no doubt, was a longtime coming for players like Fives making their Indiana debuts.

"It shows (if) you put it back post low (and) hard, good things happen," Yeagley said. "That's what he did, so I was really happy for Phil. He's been waiting for this opportunity."

Indiana University Athletics

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Phil Fives

Jeremiah Gutjahr

Andrew Gutman

Grant Lillard

Ben Maurey

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