Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Shut Down Jaguars (10-15-03)
10/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana men's soccer team turned in a dominating performance as it topped the IUPUI Jaguars, 1-0, Wednesday night at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Sophomore Brian Plotkin's goal in the 31st minute was enough to give the Hoosiers their fourth straight victory, and their third consecutive in shutout fashion. IU's record now stands at 6-3-4 overall while IUPUI fell to 1-11-2.
The Hoosiers dominated the stat sheet. IU racked up season-highs in shots (32) and corner kicks (13) while limiting the Jaguars to opponent seasons lows in both categories. IUPUI attempted only two shots in the match, one in each half, and failed to earn a corner kick attempt. The only place where they Jaguars held the advantage was in fouls. IUPUI committed an opponent season-high 26 to the Hoosiers' 11.
"it was good that we played at a high level," head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "Sometimes when you play an opponent that is struggling, you lower your standard. We performed well in every phase of the game except for finishing in the final third (of the field)."
In the 31st minute, Plotkin notched his third goal of the season. Junior Ned Grabavoy played the ball to Plotkin from 15-yards out to the left side of the goal. Plotkin received the ball mid-stride and rifled it into the left upper 90 of the goal with his left foot. The Lisle, Ill., product is IU's second-leading scorer this season with 10 points on three goals and four assists.
The Hoosiers were on the attack from the start and handily possessed the ball and controlled the field. IU launched 14 shots before the Jaguars were able to attempt their first of the match.
The IU defense put forth a stellar effort en route to its third straight shutout and its fifth of the season. Junior Jay Nolly was only forced to make one save.
"I would give our defensive performance at `A', both individually and collectively." Yeagley said. “(Defensive midfielder) Danny O'Rourke played like he was two or three people back there tonight. They were hard pressed to get by him at midfield, and when they did, we were right there to stop them. We're playing very well in the back of the team."
With tonight's victory, IU ran its home-unbeaten streak to 19 straight matches. Grabavoy scored his 21st point of the season tonight, surpassing the 20 points he compiled as a sophomore in 2002.
Indiana will host a key Big Ten Conference match on Sunday, Oct. 19, against the Ohio State Buckeyes. OSU is currently second in the league standings behind IU. The match is part of a soccer doubleheader. The Hoosier women will battle Northwestern at Noon and the men's match will follow at approximately 2:30 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium.
