Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Tie Kentucky in Exhibition (08-23-02)
8/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 23, 2002
FT. WAYNE, Ind. -- The Indiana University men' s soccer team forged a 1-1 tie with the University of Kentucky Friday night in an exhibition contest in Ft. Wayne, Ind. The Hoosiers gave up an early goal but pulled even on junior Vijay Dias' goal in the 72nd minute. Since the game was an exhibition contest, no overtime was played.
In the seventh minute, Kentucky converted its first corner kick of the game to take the lead. Olli Lehtimaki headed the ball into the net off Nathan Fleetwood's set-up.
After getting off to a slow start, the Hoosiers settled in and began to better control the field in the latter part of the first half. IU out-shot Kentucky, 7-4 in the opening half. Indiana extended its offensive firepower in the second half, adding 12 more shots, including six of them on goal. Indiana finally finished one at the 71:49 mark. Senior forward Pat Noonan, who had put on a creative offensive showcase finally managed a breakaway and dumped the ball to Dias for the score.
"I'm pretty pleased," Dias said. "After the goal we really kept on fighting. It was good that we came back after that first goal."
Sophomore goalkeeper Jay Nolly, in his first start for IU, made an important diving save in the 84th minute to keep the score locked at one. Noonan (6) and Dias (5) led the Hoosiers in shots.
The Hoosiers also got solid defensive play from Ft. Wayne native, senior Phil Presser and senior. Presser made his debut at the sweeper position for IU tonight.
"We got off to a sluggish start, as you might have expected," Indiana head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "I thought we got stronger as the game went on. I was disappointed to give up the first corner kick of the season. It was a nice play and a nice goal. I really thought our defense got better. We kept them from getting a lot of chances later in the game. We didn't give them much in the run of play."
"I thought we performed better than the result tonight. With as many chances as we had offensively, we probably should have finished more of them. We can't be satisfied with playing well and not winning, but our performance will yield results."
The Hoosiers will close out play in the IPFW Soccer Showcase against Virginia on Sunday. Game time is scheduled for Noon at the Hefner Soccer Fields.
