Indiana University Athletics
Plotkin Leads Hoosiers Past Flyers, 2-1
8/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Apr. 18, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS - Led by senior midfielder Brian Plotkin, the two-time defending national champion Indiana men's soccer team ran its spring record to 5-0 with a 2-1 victory over the Dayton Flyers. Plotkin scored with less than a minute remaining to give the Hoosiers the win as part of the Urban Soccer League Fundraiser in front of over 3,000 fans at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.
"Friday was a good contest," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "Dayton was a team that fought hard and made it difficult for us to play. I though we did play well. In the first half, we didn't do some things as well as we should, but overall it was a good contest. It was nice to see, although, we gave up a late goal to tie it, the boys responded in championship fashion, coming back to win the game in the final minute. It was nice to see that we found a way to win."
Off a deflected Dayton free kick, Plotkin got out on a breakaway. The Lisle, Ill., product shot into the upper 90 of the goal, gave the Cream and Crimson a 1-0 lead with 11:27 remaining.
"Brian Plotkin was outstanding on the evening," Freitag said. "He gets better and better every time out. He is a special player. He is going to be one of the better players in college soccer next season, and will definitely deserve consideration for college player of the year."
The Flyers would even the match up with just under six minutes remaining. Junior Omar Jarun scored on a header off a corner kick. Sophomore Antti Arst served the ball in the on corner kick for Dayton.
A turnover by Dayton gave the Hoosiers' possession with a 1:30 remaining. The ball was sent from the flank into the middle where Plotkin gained position. The senior tri-captain shot off the crossbar pushed the Hoosiers back on top with just 56 seconds remaining.
"Josh Tudela and Plotkin are the heart of our team in the middle of the park," Freitag said of his midfield. "They are work so hard, they made nice decisions with the ball, and they are very skilled. They make a solid tandem in the middle."
Junior goalkeeper Nathan Scherpenisse played the entire match in net for the Hoosiers. In three contests this spring, the Grand Rapids, Mich., native has a goals against average of 0.80.
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 p.m. 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.
"I think we are going to have a good crowd," Freitag said. "We promoted it very well with the help of the Indiana Youth Soccer Association, the Mexican Conciliate and our work here. I am expecting a big crowd. The game itself, I am excited to watch. I think it brings a different twist to the game then we are use to. I think Mexico will come in here with a bunch of young professionals, who will be very talented, skillful and play a little different. I like taking the boys out of their comfort zones, and having them adjust. I want to see how they respond to the challenge."
