Indiana University Athletics
Indiana to Face Defending NCAA Champion Maryland at IPFW Showcase
8/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University men's soccer team will close out its exhibition schedule against the defending NCAA Champion Maryland Terrapins on Friday, Aug. 18 at the IPFW Soccer Showcase in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Maryland is ranked No. 1 in both the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) preseason poll and the College Soccer News preseason top-30, while Indiana is ranked 12th and 13th, respectively.
The Hoosiers are coming off a 1-0 victory in an exhibition against Illinois-Chicago on Aug. 15. Sophomore Brian Ackley scored the game's only goal in the extended second overtime period, netting a shot into the upper left corner of the goal off a feed from freshman Lee Hagedorn.
Maryland (19-4-2, 7-1 ACC in 2005) is coming off a 0-0 tie with Georgetown in their first exhibition contest on Aug. 12.
The Terrapins are in a similar situation as the Hoosiers, with both teams losing several talented players, including several that have joined the professional ranks, while still returning a solid core from the starting lineup. Maryland returns two of its top five scorers from last year in Stephen King (15 goals, 38 points) and A.J. Godbolt (13 assists).
"It's going to be tough, going against the defending national champion," head coach Mike Freitag said. "They are a team that's coming off knowing how to win. Sure, they're going to be a little different, but they're a very good team."
Last year, the Hoosiers pulled one of the greatest comebacks in school history against Maryland on Oct. 29. Trailing 3-0 in the second half, Indiana reeled off three goals in the final 17 minutes of regulation, culminating with a goal from then-sophomore back Greg Stevning with five seconds remaining to forge a 3-3 tie with the third-ranked Terps. It marked the first time in school history the Hoosiers had overcome a three-goal deficit.
The Soccer Showcase runs from Thursday, Aug. 17 through Saturday, Aug. 19, and features men's and women's teams from Indiana, Maryland, IPFW, IUPUI, Marquette, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Illinois-Chicago, Central Michigan, DePaul, Indiana State and Toledo.
For more information, please visit www.gomastodons.com.
