Indiana University Athletics
Keeping it Clean – Lillard and IU Aim for History
10/3/2017 10:49:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Grant Lillard wants it clean.
Let's start with that.
No, Indiana's All-America soccer defender is not a neat freak and while avoiding dirty play is good, the Hoosiers' once-a-generation defense is better.
So Lillard focuses on box scores that show nothing on the opponent's side except zeros, or as close as a team can get against college competition.
When that happens, and it's happened a lot this season for the No. 1 Hoosiers (8-0-2), life is win-the-lottery good.
"The focus and desire is to keep clean sheets every game," Lillard says. "My role as a backline player is to organize the back and keep clean sheets on the board. With the guys around me, I can't see why I can't keep doing that."
This is fact and not overconfidence.
The Hoosiers turn opposing offenses into mush. They have four straight shutouts and eight in 10 games. They lead the nation in team goals against average (0.190). A backline of Lillard, Andrew Gutman, Rece Buckmaster and Timmy Mehl, combined with freshman goalkeeper Trey Muse, have made it difficult for opponents to get off a shot, let alone a goal.
IU has allowed just two goals in 10 games, a stinginess last seen in Cream 'n Crimson circles in 1979, when disco ruled, bean-bag chairs rocked (at $19.99 each) and gas cost 86 cents a gallon.
"Our goals against average is creeping toward historical numbers," coach Todd Yeagley says. "The players love it. We're enjoying these moments. We haven't lost sight of that."
Playing a huge role is the 6-4 Lillard, who does things so well even his coach, who has seen a lot of great players over the years, is impressed.
"He's a rare combination of size and an ability to handle really quick attackers," Yeagley says. "It's something I've never worked with before. He is that good on both sides. He can handle the ball in the air as well as anyone. His ability to defend in open space is really good."
One result -- there is nothing Lillard would rather do these days than play for the Cream 'n Crimson.
"This is the most fun I've ever had so far," he says.
Fun doesn't mean satisfaction. Much remains for Indiana, starting with Tuesday night's home match against Evansville (5-3-1).
"We have a lot left to do," Lillard says. "We're not happy with our results. We're focused on maintaining this and pushing for more."
How much more?
"What would satisfy us would be meeting all three goals we set -- winning the Big Ten regular season, winning the big Ten tournament and winning the NCAA tournament," Lillard says.
Lillard is more than capable of leading the way. He's a top contender for the MAC Herman Trophy, soccer's equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy for the nation's best player. He's a former Big Ten freshman of the year, and a two-time academic All-Big Ten performer.
In other words, he's exactly the kind of player IU has produced while building a soccer dynasty.
"Grant's biggest progress has been his mindset shift, that I need to be a great defender first and then contribute to the attack," Yeagley says.
Thus Lillard's emphasis on "clean boards."
"He used to shape his thoughts on how his distribution was or did he miss a pass," Yeagley says. "Now, if he doesn't do his mark in the box as well as he could have, he's mad about that."
Lillard was more offense driven in his first two seasons, scoring 11 points as a freshman and 13 as a sophomore. He had seven points last season.
This year, he's taken just six shots and totaled one goal and three points.
"He's shifted his mindset on what's most important." Yeagley says. "He's become a great leader. He's very tough minded. We need that in the middle of the field.
"Players who came before him helped install that in him. It didn't come on Day 1. It's fun to see that develop, and it will go a long way to help him at the next level."
That next level -- professional soccer -- is for later. For now the Hoosiers have history and a ninth national title in sight.
The key, Lillard says is "maintaining focus."
"We've had success early on. That doesn't amount to anything unless you continue to do the things you're doing to get you that success. Keep things consistent. Make sure you're winning every day. Make sure we're taking care of business."
In other words, keep it clean.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Grant Lillard wants it clean.
Let's start with that.
No, Indiana's All-America soccer defender is not a neat freak and while avoiding dirty play is good, the Hoosiers' once-a-generation defense is better.
So Lillard focuses on box scores that show nothing on the opponent's side except zeros, or as close as a team can get against college competition.
When that happens, and it's happened a lot this season for the No. 1 Hoosiers (8-0-2), life is win-the-lottery good.
"The focus and desire is to keep clean sheets every game," Lillard says. "My role as a backline player is to organize the back and keep clean sheets on the board. With the guys around me, I can't see why I can't keep doing that."
This is fact and not overconfidence.
The Hoosiers turn opposing offenses into mush. They have four straight shutouts and eight in 10 games. They lead the nation in team goals against average (0.190). A backline of Lillard, Andrew Gutman, Rece Buckmaster and Timmy Mehl, combined with freshman goalkeeper Trey Muse, have made it difficult for opponents to get off a shot, let alone a goal.
IU has allowed just two goals in 10 games, a stinginess last seen in Cream 'n Crimson circles in 1979, when disco ruled, bean-bag chairs rocked (at $19.99 each) and gas cost 86 cents a gallon.
"Our goals against average is creeping toward historical numbers," coach Todd Yeagley says. "The players love it. We're enjoying these moments. We haven't lost sight of that."
Playing a huge role is the 6-4 Lillard, who does things so well even his coach, who has seen a lot of great players over the years, is impressed.
"He's a rare combination of size and an ability to handle really quick attackers," Yeagley says. "It's something I've never worked with before. He is that good on both sides. He can handle the ball in the air as well as anyone. His ability to defend in open space is really good."
One result -- there is nothing Lillard would rather do these days than play for the Cream 'n Crimson.
"This is the most fun I've ever had so far," he says.
Fun doesn't mean satisfaction. Much remains for Indiana, starting with Tuesday night's home match against Evansville (5-3-1).
"We have a lot left to do," Lillard says. "We're not happy with our results. We're focused on maintaining this and pushing for more."
How much more?
"What would satisfy us would be meeting all three goals we set -- winning the Big Ten regular season, winning the big Ten tournament and winning the NCAA tournament," Lillard says.
Lillard is more than capable of leading the way. He's a top contender for the MAC Herman Trophy, soccer's equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy for the nation's best player. He's a former Big Ten freshman of the year, and a two-time academic All-Big Ten performer.
In other words, he's exactly the kind of player IU has produced while building a soccer dynasty.
"Grant's biggest progress has been his mindset shift, that I need to be a great defender first and then contribute to the attack," Yeagley says.
Thus Lillard's emphasis on "clean boards."
"He used to shape his thoughts on how his distribution was or did he miss a pass," Yeagley says. "Now, if he doesn't do his mark in the box as well as he could have, he's mad about that."
Lillard was more offense driven in his first two seasons, scoring 11 points as a freshman and 13 as a sophomore. He had seven points last season.
This year, he's taken just six shots and totaled one goal and three points.
"He's shifted his mindset on what's most important." Yeagley says. "He's become a great leader. He's very tough minded. We need that in the middle of the field.
"Players who came before him helped install that in him. It didn't come on Day 1. It's fun to see that develop, and it will go a long way to help him at the next level."
That next level -- professional soccer -- is for later. For now the Hoosiers have history and a ninth national title in sight.
The key, Lillard says is "maintaining focus."
"We've had success early on. That doesn't amount to anything unless you continue to do the things you're doing to get you that success. Keep things consistent. Make sure you're winning every day. Make sure we're taking care of business."
In other words, keep it clean.
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
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