Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Open Spring (03-31-05)
3/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
"We have been chomping at the bit to start the spring season," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "We are tired of beating up on each other in practice. It is time to get out, play somebody else and see what we have returning. It helps us to start preparing for next year, and get some good competition. The spring season is a good time of the year, where we can start answering some of the questions for next year. It allows us to give some players an opportunity to show what they can do in game situations."
Lindsey Wilson College is a NAIA school in Southern Kentucky. The Blue Raiders are six-time NAIA men's soccer National Champions. In 2004, Lindsey Wilson finished 21-2-2, falling to Auburn Montgomery, 1-0, in the NAIA semifinals. IU and Lindsey Wilson tied 1-1 during the 2004 spring campaign.
The Bradley Braves finished the 2004 season at 10-6-3, including a 5-2-1 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves season ended with a loss to No. 3 SMU in penalty kicks at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Hoosiers and Braves met during the spring of 2003 with IU picking up a 4-0 victory.
The matches will be part of the Hoosiers' six-game spring season. IU will have four at the friendly confines of Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium, while the other two matches will be in Indianapolis. The Cream and Crimson will close out the spring by hosting the Mexican Youth National Team in a friendly exhibition, Tuesday, April 19th at 7:30 pm. IU will partner with the Indiana Youth Soccer Association in benefiting the Latino soccer programs around the state of Indiana. General admission for the game is $5 with children under 6 receiving free admission. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or by calling the IU Athletic Ticket Office at 866-IUSPORTS. Group discounts are available by contacting the ticket office.
IU went 19-4-1 in 2004 on its way to back-to-back national titles. The Cream and Crimson downed UC-Santa Barbara in the title game, 3-2 in penalty kicks. The Hoosiers return their top-five scorers and eight starters from a season ago. Junior forward Jacob Peterson led IU with 24 points (11g, 2a), while senior midfielder Brian Plotkin was second with 19 points (5g, 9a). Junior midfielder John Michael Hayden was third with 18 points (7g,4a). Senior forward Mike Ambersley (3g, 6a) and junior forward/midfielder Kevin Robson (1g, 7a) rounded out that Hoosier top five with 12 and 9 points, respectively.
