Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Battle the Heat as Practice Opens
8/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 15, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Facing temperatures in the mid-90's, the Indiana men's soccer team took the pitch for a pair of practices on the first day of preseason camp. The team will continue its two-a-day schedule through Aug. 23, leading up to its preseason match vs. New Mexico on Aug. 25 at the National Soccer Festival in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
"It is good to see everyone back on the field," said head coach Mike Freitag. "These first few days are really about getting back in the swing of things and allowing the guys to get their legs back under them.
The morning session, held at Karst Farm Park, focused more on the technical side of the game as Freitag and his staff used the time for teaching, defensive work and small-sided games.
That two-hour session was followed by a mid-day break, with the team reconvening at 4 p.m. at the IU practice field. The afternoon workout consisted of warm-ups and 11 vs. 11 play.
Trying not to wilt in the heat in the second practice of the day, both the veterans and newcomers had a chance to show off their skills. Freshman Rich Balchan (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) was very active in the midfield and drew special mention from Freitag after the practice. Freitag also took notice of sophomore Kevin Alston (Silver Spring, Md.). After battling injuries in his first season, Alston played this summer with the U-18 National Team at the Pan Am Games and looks to be healthy.
The first 25 minutes of play featured two evenly-matched teams, resulting in a scoreless period. Neil Wilmarth (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) had an opportunity to put the blue squad on top as he broke free on the right side, but his shot sailed high.
After a short break, the second 25 minutes was an "old" guys vs. "young" guys matchup. It appeared the older crew jumped out to an immediate 1-0 lead when Charley Traylor (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) sent the ball in to Kevin Noschang (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West) who lofted it in for the score. However, cries of offsides nullified the goal.
The remainder of the contest stayed scoreless. Freshman Michael Roach (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade College Prep) broke free with the ball, eventually setting up a corner kick. Roach then played the serve down with his chest, passing off to Balchan who sent his attempt just high. Balchan had another look at the net as he outraced his defender, but goalkeeper Joe Andrews (St. Louis, Mo./De Smet Jesuit) kept Balchan off balance enough to force a wide shot.
Andrews also came up with a chest-high save on Max Weston's (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Christian) on-goal attempt. The young guys had one more chance as Roach weaved his way through the midfield, but veteran defenders Traylor and Greg Stevning (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) chased the newcomer down to keep the game scoreless.
The session ended with penalty kicks. After a hot start by the shooters, the keepers stepped up with Michael Munroe (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) and Andrews posting back-to-back saves. That was followed by a miss from Alston, then Chay Cain (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) stepped in and got his gloves on Lee Hagedorn's (Columbus, Ind./North) attempt. Andrews picked up another save off Weston, and the exercise closed with Stevning's shot turned away by Munroe.
Notes: In the NSCAA coaches poll released Tuesday, the Hoosiers occupy the No. 7 slot ... redshirt freshman Daniel Kelly was not at practice as he is on his way back from Japan after competing in the SBS Cup with the U-18 National Team ...watching from the sideline was sophomore Darren Yeagle. Yeagle is recovering from a knee injury but could be cleared to begin light workouts in the coming weeks.
