Indiana University Athletics
ALAVANJA LEADS HOOSIERS INTO SEASON
9/3/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ALAVANJA LEADS HOOSIERS INTO SEASON
by Christina Sharp
The the pros in Major League Soccer are going to have to wait one more season to snatch another player from the IU soccer program.
Lazo Alavanja, a 5-11 midfielder turned down an offer to leave IU early to start a career in the MLS. He has a few more achievements to add to his long list before leaving Indiana.
Starting his senior year as 1997 Big Ten Player of the Year and second team All American, Alavanja is beginning his last season with an edge. Last season he registered career highs of nine goals, 11 assists, and it is expected that an output of equal caliber is in the making for the 1998 season. His quick ball handling and distributing skills mixed with his powerful aggression is going to anchor the midfield this season, giving the Hoosiers a great shot for another run at the NCAA Championship.
Last season IU mens soccer ended with an almost perfect season winning 23 games and losing only to eventual national champion UCLA in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The 1997 season was one of the best in IU soccer history and may put pressure on this year's team to measure up, but Alavanja is relaxed starting the season this weekend with the 16th annual adidas Classic, hosted by the Hoosiers at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
"I'm very confident in our team this year," says Alavanja, "We aren't feeling a lot of pressure because last season we just went out, played hard, and it (23-1 record) just happened. This year we're going to try and do the same."
Alavanja has a humble attitude towards the approaching season, especially when it comes to being a candidate for National Player of the Year, one of the highest honors received in college soccer.
"It's a great honor. It's exciting," says Alavanja, "But it would be nicer to win the championship."
Concentrating solely on the team's performance, Alavanja is putting his personal achievements and goals to play professional soccer on the back-burner.
"I wanted to stay because I enjoy playing with my teammates, plus I wanted to finish as much school as I can before I try to play pro."
The Hoosiers kick off the season with the Classic this weekend featuring
top national soccer talents from the College of Charleston, Butler, and
California squads. It will be a challenge for the IU team, but with an NCAA
Championship in their sights, Alavanja and the Hoosier team plan to do a
lot of damage on the field.
© Indiana University Athletics, 1998
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