Indiana University Athletics
HOOSIERS LOOK FOR SEVENTH BIG TEN TITLE IN EIGHT YEARS
11/11/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
HOOSIERS LOOK FOR SEVENTH BIG TEN TITLE IN EIGHT YEARS
Game Data: The third-ranked Indiana Hoosiers travel to the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Northwestern this weekend. The Hoosiers are looking to grab their seventh title in eight years. As a the No. 1 seed, the Hoosiers drew a bye and play the winner of the Michigan State/Wisconsin game on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m. CST (2:30 p.m. EST). With a win, the Hoosier will play in the Championship game Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST). Penn State is the other team to receive a bye.
Tournament Schedule:
Fri., Nov. 13
11 a.m. ­ #3 Ohio State vs. #6 Northwestern
1:30 p.m. ­ #4 Wisconsin vs. #5 Michigan State
Sat., Nov. 14
11 a.m. ­ #2 Penn State vs. OSU/NU
1:30 p.m. ­ #1 Indiana vs. UW/MSU
Sun., Nov. 15
1 p.m. ­ Championship Game (FOX SPORTS CHICAGO)
The 1998 Indiana Hoosiers: This season has been another successful one for Jerry Yeagley and his Hoosiers. While the team has not put up the same numbers offensively as they did last year en route to a 23-1 record the defense has helped IU to its 16-2 record.
The offense has had trouble finishing at times and that was evident in the loss at UCLA which snapped a 13-game winning streak. After falling behind 2-1 with close to 40 minutes remaining in the game, the team had at least 8 quality chances to score but could not tie the game. While the goal total is down (83 in 24 games last year to just 46 in 18 games this season) the offense has been able to create many opportunities against just about any team.
Yeagley did some shuffling this year, moving Dema Kovalenko from forward to wide left midfield and inserting Matt Fundenberger into the starting lineup full-time up front with Aleksey Korol. Ryan Mack mans the other wide spot and at times, Yeagley has moved he and Kovalenko up front to create a quick, potent frontline. The move has paid dividends as Kovalenko and Mack have used their speed and ball-handling abilities to create those aforementioned opportunities.
Lazo Alavanja and Yuri Lavrinenko have combined for another outstanding season in the center of midfield. The two have given the the opposition problems all season with their attacking frame of mind. Gino DiGuardi moved into the defensive midfield spot vacated by the graduation of Caleb Porter, from the back and has provided a great deal of leadership and quality play.
The defense has been the key for the Hoosiers. They have allowed just 6 goals all season (the school record for the least by an opponent is 6 set in 1979). Nick Garcia runs the defense as the sweeper with Andrew Parrish and Dennis Fadeski as the marking backs. All three are capable defenders who can just about mark any player in the nation. Goalkeeper T.J. Hannig has been excellent all season and is improved from a year ago. The defense has also helped register 14 shutouts this year and the school record is 18 which was set in 1979. The Hoosiers have allowed single figures in goals only three times in the previous 25 years with 1979 being the last season (6).
The team went through the Big Ten regular season undefeated as they won its fifth such crown in eight years. IU did not allow a goal in those five games which was the first time in league history that has happened. As this weekend's tournament begins, the Hoosiers have not been scored on in a league game (including the 1997 tournament) in nine contests.
Indiana Head Coach Jerry Yeagley. . .is in his 26th year at Indiana and is the winningest coach in collegiate soccer history. He has a career record of 450-80-37. He has led the Hoosiers to national titles in 1982, 1983 and 1988, 11 Final Four appearances and six Big Ten titles.
Hoosiers In the Polls: This week the Hoosiers are ranked No. 2 in the NSCAA poll while remaining No. 3 in the Soccer America, ESPN and Soccer News rankings. Indiana remains the top team in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana has been ranked No. 1 eight of the 11 weeks this season.
Indiana Wins Regular Season Big Ten Title: Indiana defeated Ohio State 1-0 in overtime (Oct. 25) to win the Big Ten regular season crown with a perfect 5-0 record. It is the fifth time (in eight years) the Hoosiers have won the regular season crown.
More on a Dominating Conference Season: While two of Indiana's five conference victories were of the overtime variety, the Hoosiers dominated their conference opponents. IU did not allow a goal in league play marking the first time that has happened in league history. The team allowed just 24 shots in the five games while registering 76 shots itself. Indiana goalkeepers had to make only 12 saves in 469 minutes of action as well.
Indiana is the Big Ten's Best: Since soccer became a Big Ten sport in 1991, the Hoosiers have been the dominant team in the conference. Indiana is 34-4-2 in league play over the last eight years and has won the league tournament six times.
Series Matchup: Indiana shut out both Michigan State and Wisconsin this season. The Hoosiers have never lost to the Spartans and lead the series record at 24-0. Earlier this season at East Lansing, Indiana defeated Michigan State 3-0. The Hoosiers held the Spartans to just 5 shots, while IU keeper T.J. Hannig had two saves. Matt Fundenberger, Gino DiGuardi, Tyler Hawley each scored for the cause. IU tallied 22 shots and limited the Badgers to an opponents season-low 2 shots as they beat Wisconsin 3-0 in Bloomington. Lazo Alavanja scored twice and Ryan Mack added one of his own.
A Look at the Opponents: MSU is 7-11 overall, and 1-4 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are led by Chris Slosar who has 6 goals and 14 points. T. J. Lieckfelt is fifth in the Big Ten with a 1.49 GAA. The Spartans have netted 25 goals in 18 games. Wisconsin is 3-14-1 overall and 1-4 in Big Ten play this year. Goalie Tim Caprez leads the Big Ten in saves with 93 in 1577 minutes of action.
Big Ten Recaps:
Indiana 3 Michigan State 0
IU began their Big Ten season with a 3-0 shutout at East Lansing. The
Hoosier defense limited the Spartans to a mere 2 shots in the first half,
and 5 total. Matt Fundenberger scored at the 12 minute mark, and the Hoosiers
never looked back. Gino DiGuardi and Tyler Hawley also scored.
Indiana 1 Penn State 0
The Hoosiers traveled to Reading, Pa. for an overtime thriller in front
of 3, 872 spectators. Yuri Lavrinenko scored his second overtime game-winning
goal of the season to beat the Nittany Lions 1-0. IU registered 13 shots
compared to the Lion's 8.
Indiana 3 Wisconsin 0
The Hoosiers held the Badgers shotless until the second half in Bloomington.
In total, IU outshot the Badgers 23 to 2. Lazo Alavanja had two goals on
six shots to lead the Hoosiers to victory. Ryan Mack also scored.
Indiana 1 Northwestern 0
Dema Kovalenko's goal at the 56 minute was all the Hoosiers needed to
surpass the Wildcats 1-0. IU registered a season high 24 shots while limiting
Northwestern to just 2. NU goalkeeper Matt Keeler did all he could to stop
the Hoosiers as he made 10 saves.
Indiana 1 Ohio State 0
Lazo Alavanja scored in the 98th minute in Columbus for the 1-0 overtime
win. The Buckeyes held the Hoosiers to a season-low 7 shots. Although
OSU had only 1 shot at the half, the Buckeyes picked up the pace to tally
7 for the game.
Better as the Year Goes On: The Hoosiers have posted some impressive numbers in recent October's and November's. Indiana has won its last 20 October games which dates back to Oct. 13, 1996. The Hoosiers are also 10-1 in November games over the last two-plus years with the only loss in that span coming two weeks ago at UCLA.
Defense On of the Best: The key to this year's team has been a tough defense. The Hoosiers have allowed just 6 goals all season and have posted 14 shutouts. The team leads the nation in team defense as they have allowed just .321 goals per game. IU's team GAA also leads the nation at 0.33. The team is allowing opponents just 5.8 shots per game and the IU 'keepers have been forced to make only 48 saves in 1,653 minutes. Over the last eight games IU 'keepers have not had to make any more than 3 saves in any of those games.
Tough Defense Earns National Rankings: Indiana has allowed only six goals in 18 games this season and the team GAA stands at a stellar 0.33. This week the Hoosiers remain the top defensive team in the nation, allowing just .32 goals per game and in shutouts per game at .778 (14 of 18). Goalkeeper T.J. Hannig also appears in the NCAA stats as his GAA is first in the nation this week (0.34). This week Indiana is tied for 12th in scoring offense (2.56) and tied for 2nd in winning percentage (.889).
Have to Shut Them Out: Usually a team has to shut the Hoosiers out to record a victory. However, things come to an end sooner or later. The 2-1 loss at UCLA was it the first time in three years Indiana scored and failed to win. They last time IU scored and did not win, prior to the UCLA game, was October 8, 1995 when IU lost to Bowling Green 2-1.
Extra Time: Indiana's overtime victory over Ohio State was its fourth such game of the season. However, the Hoosiers are a good overtime team. Over the last three seasons, the Hoosiers have played 12 overtime games and are 9-1-2 in those games. The lone loss in that span was to UCLA in the national semifinals last season.
Big Ten Stat Rankings: Dema Kovalenko leads the Big Ten in scoring with 26 points (11 goals and 4 assists) while Aleksey Korol is second (9-7-25) and Lazo Alavanja is third (8-7-23). Alavanja, Matt Fundenberger, and Aleksey Korol are tied for the best in the league with seven assists. Kovalenko's 11 goals is also the top mark in the conference. T.J. Hannig is the top goalkeeper in the league with a 0.34 GAA. He also leads in shutouts with 14. As a team, the Hoosiers lead the league in scoring with 46 goals and with a 0.33 team GAA.
Hoosier News and Notes: The Hoosiers have registered 20 or more shots four times this season. By contrast, they have allowed five or fewer shots eight times. Dema Kovalenko enters the week in 8th on IU's all-time goals list with 41. He needs three more to take over 7th place. His 91 career points are 14th on the all-time scoring list. His 4 assists this year are a career bestLazo Alavanja's 30 career assists is 8th on IU's all-time list. He is also 12th on the all-time scoring list (94), and tied for 12th on the all-time goals list (32). He is bidding to become the 11th player in IU history to register at least 100 career points. . .Goalkeeper T.J. Hannig now has 24 career shutouts. His GAA stands at 0.34 heading into the week. The school record for a season is 0.26 by John Putna set in 1979. He also has 14 shutouts this season. . .The Hoosiers have scored 20 first half goals this season while allowing just two in the first 45 minutes. They have out shot their opponents 274 to 105. That's an average of 15.2-5.8 per gameThe Hoosiers have won 16 consecutive conference games. That streak includes Big Ten Tournament games. The current conference-game unbeaten streak now stands at 23 games (21-0-2).
Next Up: After the Big Ten Tournament, IU will be looking to receive yet another NCAA Tournament bid. The pairings will be announced Monday, Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. EST.
© Indiana University Athletics, 1998
