Indiana University Athletics
Two-Time Defending National Champions Host Mexican Youth National Team
8/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Apr. 19, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The two-time defending NCAA Champion Indiana men's soccer team will play host to its first international competition in more than 30 years. The Cream and Crimson will host the Mexican Youth National Team in a friendly exhibition on Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium, tonight at 7:30 pm.
"It's an honor to play a team with the tradition of success that Mexico has," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "It's not every day you get to play against a team of young professionals representing their country. We are very excited about the competition that comes with playing one of the top youth teams in the world."
IU Soccer 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.
The last international match played at Armstrong Stadium was in May of 1992, when the USA hosted Canada in an Olympic qualifier. Former Hoosier Steve Snow scored twice in front of 7,500 fans in a 3-1 USA victory.
Mexico will be preparing for the final round of qualifying for the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship to be played in Peru, September 15 through October 2. The 2003 Youth Championships saw Mexico advance to the quarterfinals before falling 2-0 to Argentina.
The match will also wrap up the spring season for the Cream and Crimson. The Hoosiers are 5-0 on the spring with victories over Lindsey Wilson (2-0), Bradley (3-0), Saint Louis (2-0), Butler (5-1) and Dayton (2-1). Redshirt freshman forward Kevin Noschang leads the Hoosiers in scoring during the spring with five goals, while junior midfielder Josh Tudela has three. Senior midfielder Brian Plotkin scored both Hoosier tallies including the game-winner with 56 seconds remaining against Dayton on Friday, April 15. Sophomore Chris Munroe and junior Nathan Scherpenisse have split time in net during the spring. Munroe has not allowed a goal in 225 minutes, while Scherpenisse has a goals against average of 0.80 in that time frame as well.
"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."
