Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Tie Rutgers (08-30-02)
8/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 30, 2002
Bloomington, Ind. - In a game that lived up to the hype surrounding it, top-ranked Indiana and No. 7 Rutgers fought to a scoreless tie at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday as part of the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.
"I don't know that a lesser team might have lost that game tonight," IU head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "We hung in there and didn't get frustrated, didn't lose our composure. We kept after the task. That's a good quality. I like the way this team attacks. We had some beautiful combination plays tonight and some beautiful individual efforts."
The Hoosiers (0-0-1 overall) controlled the play for the duration of the game, but were unable to cash in on some of the chances they created. Indiana outshot Rutgers (0-0-1), 16-8 and kept the action in the Scarlet Knight's defensive third all game long.
"I thought it was a good result for us," Rutgers head coach Bob Reasso said. "Indiana is a great team with a lot of offensive weapons. We were very beat up. We decided to come out here with a set tactical idea, and they weren't able to break us down.
At no point, however, were the Hoosiers more dominant than from the middle of the second half through the end of the second overtime. Senior All-American Pat Noonan had the best look of the day for Indiana, streaking down the middle of the penalty box with just over six minutes remaining in regulation to narrowly miss heading in a perfect cross from sophomore Ned Grabavoy.
Grabavoy, who along with fellow sophomore Mike Ambersley was not on the sidelines to open the game, entered the contest in the first half. Both sophomores came straight to the field from airport after a stint with the U.S. Under-20 National Team in Spain.
"It was a lot of fun to be back tonight," Grabavoy said. "I traveled for 20 hours and then walked onto the sideline. I thought things went well, even though they sat back. We had some chances."
In the early game, No. 9 Clemson defeated Butler, 3-0.
The adidas/IU Credit Union Classic continues on Saturday at Armstrong Stadium, with Rutgers and Butler meeting at 5:30 p.m. Indiana will take on Clemson in the nightcap at 8 p.m.
