Defender Gutman Finding His Offense for IUMS
9/26/2017 10:35:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Todd Yeagley awaited his soggy fate under a roasting late September sun. Soccer practice had just ended and the word was out:
The Indiana coach's birthday had arrived.
Let the dousing begin.
Hoosier players poured an icy cooler of water on Yeagley as part of yet another Cream 'n Crimson birthday baptism.
"It's a tradition we have," junior defender Andrew Gutman says. "Anytime anyone has a birthday, he gets dumped with water."
For this, at least, there were no concerns about coaching repercussions.
"He was lucky it wasn't Gatorade," Gutman says with a smile. "Some guys get Gatorade. I've been nailed. Everyone has been nailed. It's fun. It keeps the mood light."
Light practice moods are part of the Hoosiers' unbeaten process (6-0-2 and counting), and Gutman is at the forefront of that.
He's scoring more than he ever has -- three goals, six points and counting. He's defending at his usual high rate, and was named co-Most Valuable Defensive Player at the early season Mike Berticelli Tournament at Notre Dame.
Specifically, Gutman is scoring when IU needs it most. He had the goal in the Hoosiers' 1-1 tie with No. 18 Michigan. He had game-winning goals against South Florida and Cal Poly.
This is potentially season-changing huge as the No. 2 Hoosiers brace for Tuesday night's Armstrong Stadium showdown with No. 1 Notre Dame (6-1).
The Irish, coming off a 2-1 Friday night loss at Virginia Tech, beat IU 4-0 last season, but the Hoosiers lead the overall series 28-9-3.
Gutman attacks from the back, letting forwards and midfields stress the defense before charging in to ratchet up the pressure … and the scoring opportunities.
"Andrew is one of our best attacking players," Yeagley says. "When you come from that deep position, it's really hard defensively for the other team to solve that, especially if we're dangerous on the right side. That spreads them out a little bit."
A spread-out defense, regardless of the sport, is vulnerable as it doesn't want to be.
"It's another weapon," Yeagley says. "It's just hard to defend. We use the analogy, Defending is like a short blanket on a cold night. You can't cover everything.
"With some of the abilities we have, that's where we can expose other teams. They can't cover all those spots. Right, left, vertically, we can play through the middle. The cues of the game have to get us to be a little smarter on when to apply things."
Through eight matches, these Hoosiers are applying at the smart time. Gutman helps set a tone. He always has.
"Growing up I was a forward and a winger, so my mindset was always getting up and attacking.
"I have an unfair advantage because normally outside backs don't get into attack much and I'm so attack minded that I creep up on the outside mid and catch them off guard. I unbalance the offense. If I'm not creating the shot I'm setting up someone to create a shot."
The big difference is he's not better at it. Credit summer training with the Chicago Fire, and the overall maturity and development you'd expect from a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
"Over the summer training with Chicago, I really honed in on finishing technique and being a lot more clinical around goal," Gutman says. "It's translated well.
"I have a better focus this year. I feel more mature coming into my third season, and I'm seeing some results. It's still early and we still have a long way to go. It's nice to have some early success."
That his success comes for Indiana is no surprise. His family has had a love affair with all things Cream 'n Crimson for decades. His father, two grandparents, two aunts and two uncles went to IU. His grandmother was an IU board of trustees member from 1974-86. A younger brother, Phillip, goes to Indiana.
Did those family ties convince Gutman to become a Hoosier?
Not exactly.
"I wanted to come here because of the soccer program," he says. "As soon as Coach Yeagley gave me the call and recruited me, I basically shut out every other school. I told my parents from the time I was 10 I wanted to play at Indiana. When I got that call it was a dream come true."
Gutman played soccer and basketball as a freshman at Hinsdale (Ill.) Central High School (current IU teammate Grant Lillard also was at Hinsdale Central) before committing fully to soccer as part of the Chicago Fire Academy for his final three high school years. Academy players can't participate in high school sports.
"My dad wanted me to be a multi-sport athlete, but he understood moving me to the Chicago Fire Academy was probably my best option in terms of my future in soccer.
"I always told my parents I liked other sports, but soccer was the sport. They were behind me to quit other sports. It was tough, but it was the right decision."
Gutman's love of soccer could lead him to a career in the sport at some level.
"I'm so happy playing soccer right now. Most likely I'll want to do something with soccer. I just enjoy the sport so much. It's so fun to play and watch. If I can be around it my whole life, that would be awesome."
For now awesome centers on beating Notre Dame and thriving through the rest of IU's challenging schedule.
"I want to play against the best teams in the country," Gutman says. "I want to test myself every game. I want to see if I truly am the best, and if I'm not the best, how can I get better. I've learned a lot. I've showed a lot."
He and the rest of the Hoosiers are about to get a national chance to show a lot more.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Todd Yeagley awaited his soggy fate under a roasting late September sun. Soccer practice had just ended and the word was out:
The Indiana coach's birthday had arrived.
Let the dousing begin.
Hoosier players poured an icy cooler of water on Yeagley as part of yet another Cream 'n Crimson birthday baptism.
"It's a tradition we have," junior defender Andrew Gutman says. "Anytime anyone has a birthday, he gets dumped with water."
For this, at least, there were no concerns about coaching repercussions.
"He was lucky it wasn't Gatorade," Gutman says with a smile. "Some guys get Gatorade. I've been nailed. Everyone has been nailed. It's fun. It keeps the mood light."
Light practice moods are part of the Hoosiers' unbeaten process (6-0-2 and counting), and Gutman is at the forefront of that.
He's scoring more than he ever has -- three goals, six points and counting. He's defending at his usual high rate, and was named co-Most Valuable Defensive Player at the early season Mike Berticelli Tournament at Notre Dame.
Specifically, Gutman is scoring when IU needs it most. He had the goal in the Hoosiers' 1-1 tie with No. 18 Michigan. He had game-winning goals against South Florida and Cal Poly.
This is potentially season-changing huge as the No. 2 Hoosiers brace for Tuesday night's Armstrong Stadium showdown with No. 1 Notre Dame (6-1).
The Irish, coming off a 2-1 Friday night loss at Virginia Tech, beat IU 4-0 last season, but the Hoosiers lead the overall series 28-9-3.
Gutman attacks from the back, letting forwards and midfields stress the defense before charging in to ratchet up the pressure … and the scoring opportunities.
"Andrew is one of our best attacking players," Yeagley says. "When you come from that deep position, it's really hard defensively for the other team to solve that, especially if we're dangerous on the right side. That spreads them out a little bit."
A spread-out defense, regardless of the sport, is vulnerable as it doesn't want to be.
"It's another weapon," Yeagley says. "It's just hard to defend. We use the analogy, Defending is like a short blanket on a cold night. You can't cover everything.
"With some of the abilities we have, that's where we can expose other teams. They can't cover all those spots. Right, left, vertically, we can play through the middle. The cues of the game have to get us to be a little smarter on when to apply things."
Through eight matches, these Hoosiers are applying at the smart time. Gutman helps set a tone. He always has.
"Growing up I was a forward and a winger, so my mindset was always getting up and attacking.
"I have an unfair advantage because normally outside backs don't get into attack much and I'm so attack minded that I creep up on the outside mid and catch them off guard. I unbalance the offense. If I'm not creating the shot I'm setting up someone to create a shot."
The big difference is he's not better at it. Credit summer training with the Chicago Fire, and the overall maturity and development you'd expect from a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
"Over the summer training with Chicago, I really honed in on finishing technique and being a lot more clinical around goal," Gutman says. "It's translated well.
"I have a better focus this year. I feel more mature coming into my third season, and I'm seeing some results. It's still early and we still have a long way to go. It's nice to have some early success."
That his success comes for Indiana is no surprise. His family has had a love affair with all things Cream 'n Crimson for decades. His father, two grandparents, two aunts and two uncles went to IU. His grandmother was an IU board of trustees member from 1974-86. A younger brother, Phillip, goes to Indiana.
Did those family ties convince Gutman to become a Hoosier?
Not exactly.
"I wanted to come here because of the soccer program," he says. "As soon as Coach Yeagley gave me the call and recruited me, I basically shut out every other school. I told my parents from the time I was 10 I wanted to play at Indiana. When I got that call it was a dream come true."
Gutman played soccer and basketball as a freshman at Hinsdale (Ill.) Central High School (current IU teammate Grant Lillard also was at Hinsdale Central) before committing fully to soccer as part of the Chicago Fire Academy for his final three high school years. Academy players can't participate in high school sports.
"My dad wanted me to be a multi-sport athlete, but he understood moving me to the Chicago Fire Academy was probably my best option in terms of my future in soccer.
"I always told my parents I liked other sports, but soccer was the sport. They were behind me to quit other sports. It was tough, but it was the right decision."
Gutman's love of soccer could lead him to a career in the sport at some level.
"I'm so happy playing soccer right now. Most likely I'll want to do something with soccer. I just enjoy the sport so much. It's so fun to play and watch. If I can be around it my whole life, that would be awesome."
For now awesome centers on beating Notre Dame and thriving through the rest of IU's challenging schedule.
"I want to play against the best teams in the country," Gutman says. "I want to test myself every game. I want to see if I truly am the best, and if I'm not the best, how can I get better. I've learned a lot. I've showed a lot."
He and the rest of the Hoosiers are about to get a national chance to show a lot more.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
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