Indiana University Athletics
HOOSIERS WRAP UP BIG TEN TITLE IN COLUMBUS
10/25/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
HOOSIERS WRAP UP BIG TEN TITLE IN COLUMBUS
Columbus, Ohio - The No. 1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers today secured their
fifth regular season Big Ten title in eight years by defeating the
Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0 in overtime.
Senior Lazo Alavanja scored the winning goal at the 98:02 mark to assure the Hoosiers of a perfect Big Ten regular season.
"I didn't feel nervous going into overtime. I knew we just needed to go out there and play," said Alavanja.
With the victory, the Hoosiers reserve the No. 1 seed and a bye going into the Big Ten Tournament played Nov. 13-15 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
"This game was important. It gives us the No. 1 seed, so we won't have to play the first day," Coach Jerry Yeagley said.
The game was the Hoosiers 13th shutout and 4th in a row on the season. They also lengthen the series lead against Ohio State to a perfect 24-0 and 11-0 in Columbus.
Ohio State kept the game tight limiting Indiana to just four shots in the first half. Although Indiana had the edge 7-6 in shots, Indiana could not score in regulation.
"I credit Ohio State. They are the toughest team we have faced this season. I'll be glad we don't have to play at this particular field in the future," Yeagley said. "Ohio State did a good job taking us out of our comfort zone with a lot of pressure, and we were not able to maintain possession as we normally do."
Ohio State had a chance to win in regulation as Brian Feldhaus blasted a shot wide left of Indiana goalkeeper T. J. Hannig at the 83rd minute.
Yeagley was impressed by both goalies performances. "This was the
most our keeper was tested this year. T.J. Hannig had to come out three or
four times," Yeagley said. "I thought both goalkeepers played
well. This is the most pressure our goalies faced this season."
