College Cup Opportunity Beckons Unbeaten Indiana
11/29/2017 3:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The College Cup is there for the taking.
Indiana aims to take it.
The No. 2-seedeed Hoosiers (17-0-5) are one soccer victory away from a Final Four berth in Philadelphia.
Standing in their way -- No. 7 seed Michigan State (13-3-3) Friday night at Armstrong Stadium. The teams played to a 1-1 tie at the end of the regular season.
That was significant because it cost IU the Big Ten title.
Yes, the Hoosiers remember.
"We drew them 1-1 when we needed to win the Big Ten regular season title," senior Grant Lillard said, "so having a little revenge game is kind of nice."
History suggests revenge will be sweet. Indiana is 14-0 in NCAA Elite Eight matches at home, although the last one came in 2004.
"It will be fun," coach Todd Yeagley said. "We want the fans to pack this place."
Added Lillard: I'm sure the place will be pumping."
IU and Michigan State are the last remaining Big Ten teams still in contention. The Hoosiers are eager to knock that down to one.
"It's nice being the two last two Big Ten teams," Lillard said. "It's kind of like, who wants to dominate the Big Ten and be the best team in the Big Ten."
The Spartans are making their third Elite Eight appearance in the last five seasons. They've allowed 12 goals this season while scoring 27.
"The focus is to execute what we do well," Lillard said. "They're a good defensive team. They're tough to break down. We have to make sure we're connecting simple passes. Being dangerous in the final third will be important."
IU has played in 18 College Cups, the last one coming in 2012, when it won its eighth and last national championship. Yeagley played on two College Cups as a player, in 1991 and '94.
"There's nothing quite like the Final Four," Yeagley said. "We want them to have that."
These Hoosiers, a dominant blend of offense and defense, are built to break through, Yeagley added.
"We've been so close with this group the last couple of years. In this sport, there are so many small factors that come in, but I feel confident this team has the make-up to move on.
"Balance in this team is a strength. Balance in our staff is a strength."
As far as any danger of looking past Michigan State, Yeagley said, "This group hasn't looked ahead all year. They've stayed in the moment, in the process.
"They knew this could be a special year. They never got hung up in that. They did things consistently and in the right way."
IU dominates the national statistics. It leads the nation in goals allowed, with just four. It's also first in save percentage (0.917), shutout percentage (0.773) and team goals against average (0.213).
The Hoosiers rank second in the nation in shots per game (17.5) and shots on goal (7.86). They're 10th in scoring at 2.14 goals.
Honors have followed. The staff of Yeagley associate head coach Brian Maisonneuve, assistant coach Kevin Robson and volunteer assistant Zac Brown were named Midwest Region Staff of the year by the United Soccer Coaches. They are in the running for national staff of the year.
Also, Lillard is one of 15 semifinalists for the MAC Herman Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best soccer player.
"It's nice to be recognized like that," Lillard said. "It speaks a lot of the guys on this team who don't get recognized.
"Our team defending has been wonderful this year, and not just because of me. It's because a lot of guys have been contributing to that all season long."
Still, Lillard set the tone.
"Grant has had a fantastic year," Yeagley said. "There's no doubt that he's hit another gear.
"We've pushed him. He's challenged himself. You want that little bit more in there. Grant looks the way a senior and All-American and player of the year candidate should look.
"He reminds the younger players what's necessary. He understands all the situations. He's been through everything. It's the confidence you have when Grant is back there. That winning mentality."
Yeagley understands that winning mentality as well as anyone. He grew up with it under his father, Jerry, a Hall of Fame coach with six national titles on his resume.
The younger Yeagley has that 2012 championship, and wants more.
"It's overwhelming to think about what's come before," he said, "the unbelievable success my father had. You always feel like you're chasing something that might be unattainable.
"But if we stay to the plan with the right mentality and preparation, it often takes care of itself."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The College Cup is there for the taking.
Indiana aims to take it.
The No. 2-seedeed Hoosiers (17-0-5) are one soccer victory away from a Final Four berth in Philadelphia.
Standing in their way -- No. 7 seed Michigan State (13-3-3) Friday night at Armstrong Stadium. The teams played to a 1-1 tie at the end of the regular season.
That was significant because it cost IU the Big Ten title.
Yes, the Hoosiers remember.
"We drew them 1-1 when we needed to win the Big Ten regular season title," senior Grant Lillard said, "so having a little revenge game is kind of nice."
History suggests revenge will be sweet. Indiana is 14-0 in NCAA Elite Eight matches at home, although the last one came in 2004.
"It will be fun," coach Todd Yeagley said. "We want the fans to pack this place."
Added Lillard: I'm sure the place will be pumping."
IU and Michigan State are the last remaining Big Ten teams still in contention. The Hoosiers are eager to knock that down to one.
"It's nice being the two last two Big Ten teams," Lillard said. "It's kind of like, who wants to dominate the Big Ten and be the best team in the Big Ten."
The Spartans are making their third Elite Eight appearance in the last five seasons. They've allowed 12 goals this season while scoring 27.
"The focus is to execute what we do well," Lillard said. "They're a good defensive team. They're tough to break down. We have to make sure we're connecting simple passes. Being dangerous in the final third will be important."
IU has played in 18 College Cups, the last one coming in 2012, when it won its eighth and last national championship. Yeagley played on two College Cups as a player, in 1991 and '94.
"There's nothing quite like the Final Four," Yeagley said. "We want them to have that."
These Hoosiers, a dominant blend of offense and defense, are built to break through, Yeagley added.
"We've been so close with this group the last couple of years. In this sport, there are so many small factors that come in, but I feel confident this team has the make-up to move on.
"Balance in this team is a strength. Balance in our staff is a strength."
As far as any danger of looking past Michigan State, Yeagley said, "This group hasn't looked ahead all year. They've stayed in the moment, in the process.
"They knew this could be a special year. They never got hung up in that. They did things consistently and in the right way."
IU dominates the national statistics. It leads the nation in goals allowed, with just four. It's also first in save percentage (0.917), shutout percentage (0.773) and team goals against average (0.213).
The Hoosiers rank second in the nation in shots per game (17.5) and shots on goal (7.86). They're 10th in scoring at 2.14 goals.
Honors have followed. The staff of Yeagley associate head coach Brian Maisonneuve, assistant coach Kevin Robson and volunteer assistant Zac Brown were named Midwest Region Staff of the year by the United Soccer Coaches. They are in the running for national staff of the year.
Also, Lillard is one of 15 semifinalists for the MAC Herman Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best soccer player.
"It's nice to be recognized like that," Lillard said. "It speaks a lot of the guys on this team who don't get recognized.
"Our team defending has been wonderful this year, and not just because of me. It's because a lot of guys have been contributing to that all season long."
Still, Lillard set the tone.
"Grant has had a fantastic year," Yeagley said. "There's no doubt that he's hit another gear.
"We've pushed him. He's challenged himself. You want that little bit more in there. Grant looks the way a senior and All-American and player of the year candidate should look.
"He reminds the younger players what's necessary. He understands all the situations. He's been through everything. It's the confidence you have when Grant is back there. That winning mentality."
Yeagley understands that winning mentality as well as anyone. He grew up with it under his father, Jerry, a Hall of Fame coach with six national titles on his resume.
The younger Yeagley has that 2012 championship, and wants more.
"It's overwhelming to think about what's come before," he said, "the unbelievable success my father had. You always feel like you're chasing something that might be unattainable.
"But if we stay to the plan with the right mentality and preparation, it often takes care of itself."
Players Mentioned
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