Indiana Wins Classic By Tying UAB (08-30-03)

8/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Aug. 30, 2003

BLOOMINGTON, Ind -- The No. 7 Indiana men's soccer team captured the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic for the first time since 1998 on Saturday night. The Hoosiers played to a 0-0 tie with No. 20 UAB and are now 1-0-1 on the year.

"It was fun to finally win our classic," IU head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "Even though we won, 3-0, last night, I thought we played better tonight, especially defensively. We were a little unlucky and the goal post wasn't too friendly, but a lesser team would have gotten frustrated. We got stronger as the game went on and generated more chances to score."

IU won its own Classic for the ninth time in 21 years.

After playing through regulation, the best Hoosier scoring opportunity came after a UAB defender slipped on a damp field. The ball ended up with junior Ned Grabavoy, who led freshman Jacob Peterson. Peterson's shot on the break-a-way was tipped by UAB keeper Alberto Robles.

UAB also had a golden opportunity in the second and final overtime. A cross found the head of UAB's Jose Rayo, who flicked the ball on goal with 1:55. The ball hit the post and the scoreless tie was preserved.

In the second half, the Hoosiers created several opportunities to score, but were unable to find the back of the net. Early on in the half, redshirt freshman Josh Tudela crossed the ball to senior Vijay Dias, who just missed the ball before Rayo corralled the pass.

From the 52nd to the 55th minute, Indiana had three chances. In the 52nd minute, Grabavoy had a shot from 25-yards out on a restart from a yellow card. His shot went to the lower left corner and was punched wide by the UAB keeper. Freshman back Julian Dieterle gathered the ball and put it just wide right of the goal.

Less than a minute later, Dias hit the bottom of the crossbar from 25-yards out. Two minutes of Dias near miss, sophomore Brian Plotkin hit a shot from the top of the box that Rayo went low to stop.

The Hoosiers had opportunities in the first half as well. Early in the first, Grabavoy missed a free kick from the top of the box that was saved by Rayo. Grabavoy and Plotkin each led the Hoosiers with four shots on the evening.

Shortly after that, sophomore forward Trey Meek just missed flicking a header on after a cross from redshirt freshman John Michael Hayden. The ball ended up on the foot of Dias, who sent a shot on goal that was deflected wide by a UAB defender. For the game, Indiana outshot UAB, 17-11..

Junior goalkeeper Jay Nolly was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the Classic, while Grabavoy picked up the Offensive MVP award. Joining Nolly and Grabavoy on the All-Tournament team for Indiana were Plotkin and junior defensive midfielder Danny O'Rourke. California's Troy Roberts and Carl Acosta, Notre Dame's Jack Stewart and Devon Prescod and UAB's Leandro de Oliveira and Tony McManus were also named to the team. McManus was also awarded the Fair Play Award, which is voted on by the referees of the tournament.

Notre Dame, which also finished 1-0-1 in the Classic, finished second. IU won by scoring more goals in the two matches.

The Hoosiers will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Storrs, Conn., for the UConn Classic. Indiana will play Georgetown at 4:30 p.m. on September 5 and come back one day later to battle No. 10 Connecticut.

adidas/IU Credit Union Classic All-Tournament Team
Troy Roberts, California
Carl Acosta, California
Jack Stewart, Notre Dame
Devon Prescod, Notre Dame
Chris Sawyer, Notre Dame
Leandro de Oliveira, UAB
Tony McManus, UAB
Brian Plotkin, Indiana
Ned Grabavoy, Indiana
Danny O'Rourke, Indiana
Jay Nolly, Indiana

Fair Play Award: Tony McManus, UAB
Defensive MVP: Jay Nolly, Indiana
Offensive MVP: Ned Grabavoy, Indiana