Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Notches Win, Tie in Doubleheader
4/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 6, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana men's soccer team continued its 2006 spring schedule with a win and a tie in a doubleheader against IUPUI and the United Soccer League Second Division Cincinnati Kings on April 5. The Hoosiers opened up a 4-1 victory over the Jaguars, before coming from behind to tie the Kings, 2-2, in the nightcap. With the results, Indiana moved to 2-0-2 on the spring campaign.
"Overall, I thought we got better as a team with the doubleheader," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "We got a look at some guys that we normally wouldn't have, and at the end of the day, we improved as a team."
The Hoosiers scored a quartet of goals in the victory over IUPUI before the Jaguars got on the board with a goal in the waning moments of the contest. Sophomore forward George Tembon scored the Hoosiers opening goal of the contest. Fellow classmate Jacob Tudela, junior Kyle Schwartz and redshirt freshman Lee Hagedorn added goals in the IU victory.
"I was pleased with the way the guys performed against IUPUI," Freitag said. "The players we had out there were guys that have been very patient waiting for their opportunity to play in a game for Indiana. They performed like we expect IU soccer players to perform against a team like IUPUI, who is always a tough team to play against. It was definitely a good result. I was very satisfied with the play of Lee Hagedorn in the midfield. He is a player who is gaining confidence day by day. Kyle Schwartz was another guy who performed very well against IUPUI."
In the nightcap against the Cincinnati Kings, the Hoosiers fell behind early on a pair of goals by the USL Second Division team in the first half. The Kings missed the USL Second Division playoffs by one spot a season ago. Trailing 2-0, the Hoosiers closed to within 2-1 on a penalty kick from senior midfielder John Michael Hayden just before the half.
"I did not feel like we came out and played with the necessary intensity in the first half," Freitag said. "The Kings scored on a pair of excellent plays. One guy scored from 40 yards out and another on a bicycle kick. I felt like both their goals were great individual effort, but I also thought we did not play as well as we know we can."
The Hoosiers put the pressure on the Kings out of the locker room before finally tying the contest in the latter stages. Sophomore midfielder Brian Ackley scored on a header in the contest to tie the match at two.
"Even though we did not win the game, we played very well in the second half," Freitag said. "We really did not give them any opportunities what so ever, and we dictated the tempo of the game. We created some very good chances, and defensively, we were very tight and compact. If we play like we did in the second half, we will win games."
"I thought the backline of Ofori Sarkodie, Julian Dieterle and Charley Traylor gained in confidence as the game went along against the Kings," Freitag said. "The center of midfield really came on for us in the second half. It was nice to see the trio of Brad Ring, Josh Tudela and John Michael Hayden playing together. It was the first real opportunity for that trio to play together and that could be the trio in the middle of the park for us next season. I was pleased that they brought it together in the second half. Darren Yeagle and Billy Weaver were a dangerous combination and really gave us a spark up front. John Mellencamp continues to make strides this spring in the wide midfield position, and it is also nice to get Kevin Alston on the field with considerable minutes given the injuries he has overcome."
Indiana will continue its spring slate with an April 8 match against Notre Dame in Indianapolis, Ind. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., at Kuntz Stadium. It will be the final tune up before the Hoosiers take on the Mexican Youth National team in the marquee matchup of the spring campaign. The International match is set for Tuesday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., on Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium. During the spring of 2005, Mexico downed the Hoosiers, 2-1, in an exciting and fast-paced soccer affair. The 2005 game was part of Mexico's preparation for the 2006 FIFA World Youth Championships. They went on to capture the world championship at the event with a 3-0 victory over Brazil.
Through their partnership with the Indiana University Student Foundation, the Indiana-Mexican Youth National team exhibition will kickoff Little 500 week festivities. Indiana Youth Soccer will assist IU Soccer in promoting this special international soccer event through their membership across the state of Indiana. General admission for the game is $5, and children under 2 are free. 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.
