Indiana University Athletics
2006 Men's Soccer Preview: Part 1
7/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
July 24, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - New year, new look, new optimism. Every season is a challenge, but this year the Indiana University men's soccer team will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2005 to win their eighth NCAA Championship.
To say that the 2005 season wasn't what the Hoosiers expected is an understatement. Failing to win at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title for the first time in nine years and falling in the second round of the NCAA tournament, 2-0 to Notre Dame, a team that Indiana defeated 3-0 earlier in the season, proved for a difficult end to the year.
"Although we only lost three games last year, we didn't really achieve anything. I know my guys who are returning are hungry to right that and win the key games, which we let slip away last year," head coach Mike Freitag said.
The team loses six players off the 2005 squad, including All-Americans Brian Plotkin, Jacob Peterson and Jed Zayner. All six signed professional contracts following the season and made up over 50-percent of the nation's fifth-best scoring offense. However, Freitag has a solid core of players returning, including midfielder Brad Ring, who was on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team last year, and Josh Tudela, the Hoosiers leading returning scorer and a second team All-Big Ten honoree. Add to the mix several talented newcomers, including the Gatorade National High School Soccer Player of the Year Eric Alexander and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas National Youth Player of the Year Ofori Sarkodie, the Hoosiers will again look to be in contention of the national championship.
"I'm very excited and happy with the attitude going into this season. It's a talented group of young men who want to get back to winning ways and the standard that we're used to," said Freitag.
Over the next three days, IUHOOSIERS.com will take an in-depth look at the 2006 men's soccer team, beginning with a look at the upcoming schedule. Tuesday, July 25 will focus on the goalkeepers and defenders, while Wednesday, July 26 features a preview of the midfield and forwards.
THE SCHEDULE
Indiana annually plays one of the nation's toughest schedules. The Hoosiers will face six teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last year.
"We're going to have to be ready to play right from the start, because we're going to be challenged early. I like to play the best and see how we stack up," Freitag said.
The year starts with exhibition games against Illinois-Chicago and the defending national champion Maryland Terrapins at the IPFW Soccer Showcase. Last year, Indiana and Maryland played to a 3-3 tie. The Hoosiers came back from three goals down to tie the game.
"The game against Maryland will give us some idea of where we stand going into the regular season," said Freitag.
The Hoosiers begin the season at the Notre Dame Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament on August 25-27, where they will face Creighton and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Creighton went to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in 2005.
Indiana opens up its home schedule with the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic, facing traditional soccer powerhouses Connecticut and Notre Dame.
"We are looking forward to playing Notre Dame. Although we split the series last year, they won the game that was most important, the NCAA Tournament meeting," Freitag said.
The Hoosiers finish their tournament slate with the 2006 Southern Methodist Mi Cocina Classic in Dallas, Texas on Sept. 8-9. Southern Methodist was in the College Cup last year, while Tulsa is a traditional soccer power.
Two non-conference games that should prove exciting are Saint Louis on Friday, Sept. 15 and Akron on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The Saint Louis game will be televised by CSTV, while Akron reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Maryland. Akron was also ranked No. 1 in the country for part of last year. The Hoosiers upset the Zips last year, winning 1-0.
Big Ten action begins Sept. 24 against Michigan. The conference slate includes a televised game against Penn State on Oct. 20, shown on the Fox Sports Network.
The Big Ten Tournament will be held Nov. 2-5 in Columbus, Ohio on the Ohio State campus, while NCAA Tournament play commences on Nov. 10. The College Cup will be played Dec. 1-3 in St. Louis, Mo.
"It's a tough schedule, but one we like. I think my guys are going to be up to the challenge," Freitag said.
