Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Illinois-Chicago
Ring's Goal Gives Hoosiers 1-0 Win Over UIC
10/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 3, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - An early second-half goal from midfielder Brad Ring was all No. 17 Indiana needed in a 1-0 victory over UIC Wednesday night at Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
With the win, the Hoosiers improve to 6-3-1 on the season and are riding a three-match win streak. UIC falls to 4-3-2.
"We played a very good opponent tonight in UIC," said head coach Mike Freitag. "They are a very good, mature team and possessed the ball very well at times. But, it is all about scoring goals and finding ways to win and we did that tonight."
The goal came in the 50th minute as an uneventful first half was followed by a spirited Hoosier attack in the opening minutes of the second period. Ring cut off a UIC pass in the midfield and facing two defenders decided to take the shot from about 25 yards out. The ball went into the upper left with UIC goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja having no chance for the save. It was Ring's second goal of the season.
"Once I jumped in front of the ball I saw two defenders in front of me," Ring said. "I know I am not the best dribbler, so I thought I would take a chance and hit it."
"Brad Ring has been great for us all year," Freitag said. "If he isn't an All-American, I don't know who is. He works both sides of the ball and is a warrior out there."
The shot was one of 14 on the night for Indiana as the Hoosiers finished the game with a slight 14-13 advantage in shots taken. The Flames picked up the intensity once down a goal, putting up nine shots in the second frame after getting just four in the first half.
In addition to Ring, freshman Neil Wilmarth had two shot attempts, both on goal as Bubonja finished the night with three saves. Chay Cain also had three saves for Indiana.
The Flames most dangerous attempt came with 21:43 gone in the first half as Matt Spiess sent in a shot that forced Cain to make a diving save to his left.
The Hoosiers are back in action Saturday night as they return to Big Ten play against the Michigan State Spartans. Michigan State enters the game with a 7-0-2 overall record, 1-0-1 in conference play. Indiana is 1-0-0 in Big Ten action after knocking off previously unbeaten Michigan in Ann Arbor last Saturday. Match time is 7 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium.
