Indiana University Athletics
2008 Preview: Men's Soccer
8/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2008
From the outside looking in, it was another successful season for Indiana Soccer in 2007. The Hoosiers posted a 13-4-5 record, won the Big Ten regular season title and were awarded the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In addition, eight players earned All-Big Ten honors and Mike Freitag was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second straight season.
But for a program that gazes upon seven NCAA Championship banners every time it takes the pitch, that is not enough. The 2008 Hoosiers are hungry to taste the same success of the teams of the past, and both the staff and players believe they have all the ingredients to make that happen.
GOALKEEPER
Minding the net for the third straight season is senior Chay Cain. A first-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, Cain has recorded 21 shutouts in his career, including 11 as a junior. He has a career goals-against average of 0.57 and allowed just one goal in Big Ten play last year. Cain is also an academic standout, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors each of the last two seasons.
"It is nice to have a goalkeeper with the experience and leadership abilities Chay has," Freitag said. "He is very consistent in his play and also comes up with the big save on occasion to keep us in games."
After a redshirt season, Michael Munroe will push Cain for playing time as he looks to make his mark on Indiana Soccer. The younger brother of former goalkeeper Chris Munroe, Michael got a taste of action in the spring in wins over Virginia Tech and UIC.
"He gained the respect and confidence of his teammates over the course of the last year," Freitag said. "His size is a big asset in the goal and we look forward to watching him develop through the years."
Freshman Nate Mitchell joined the team in the spring and will provide added depth to the goalkeeping corps.
"Nate has a great work ethic and desire to grow as a goalkeeper," Freitag said.
Entering his first season in Bloomington is freshman Luis Soffner. Soffner is one of four IU freshmen from St. Louis and posted 18 shutouts in 23 matches with a 0.23 GAA in 2007. He was also voted the top goalkeeper at the adidas ESP camp in 2007.
"Luis has had great success in club and high school ball," Freitag said. "He possesses the size and skill to be an outstanding collegiate goalkeeper," Freitag said.
DEFENDER
While the Hoosiers lost just three seniors from the 2007 team, two of those players were starters on the back line in Charley Traylor and Greg Stevning. That being said, IU returns two all-conference picks and has a number of other players that can fill those roles to live up to the program's reputation as a tough defensive team.
Junior Kevin Alston has blossomed in the left back role, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2007. Drawing upon his international experience with the U.S. Youth National Teams, Alston started all 20 matches played while contributing both goals in a 2-0 victory over Michigan State.
"Kevin has developed in the last year to the point where I think he will be one of the top defenders in the nation," Freitag said. "His speed and quickness are second to none."
After taking the spring to train in Europe, Ofori Sarkodie returns for his junior year and looks to build upon a pair of all-conference seasons. Sarkodie served as team captain at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Youth Championship, developing leadership skills that have carried over to his time at Indiana.
"Ofori is a proven leader and an outstanding 1-on-1 defender," Freitag said. "To have that experience returning in the back is a big asset to the team this year."
Entering the mix at right back is sophomore Daniel Kelly. A versatile player who also saw action in the midfield, Kelly was a Big Ten All-Freshman selection and spent time in the offseason with the U.S. U-20 National Team.
"Daniel played in the back in the spring and has proven to be not just a good defender but a player who can attack out of the back," Freitag said.
Nick Sutter returns for his senior season after appearing in three matches a year ago.
"Nick is a veteran who knows how to lead this team, in addition to being a solid defender," Freitag said.
Junior Lee Hagedorn is a player who makes his presence known wherever he is on the field. A key player off the bench, Hagedorn appeared in 21 matches in 2007.
"Lee is a very effective player and always gives the team a lift when he is on the field," Freitag said. "He can play wide in the midfield or in the back."
Tyler McCarroll comes off a redshirt year and may just be the fastest player on the squad. He put that speed to the test this spring when he held his own against the Mexican Youth National Team.
"Tyler has an exceptional left foot and continues to gain confidence and experience every day," Freitag said.
Freshman Tommy Meyer is a 6-2 defender out of Saint Louis University High School who has the size and skill to make an immediate impression at the collegiate level. Meyer, the son of former IU standout Keith Meyer, spent one season in the U-17 Residency Program and was a member of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup team.
"Tommy is skillful on the ball and is very good with his distribution out of the back," Freitag said.
Cameron Jordan is a junior transfer from Central Florida. Jordan appeared in 33 matches in his two seasons at UCF and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2006.
"Cameron is another player who will contribute for us either in the back or midfield," Freitag said. "His technical ability and quickness are assets which will help us in the defense."
Freshman Chris Haffner played along side Meyer at SLUH as both anchored an SLUH defense that allowed just 10 goals in 33 matches in 2007.
"Chris is very athletic, a tenacious defender, and a real competitor," Freitag said. "He has a bright future here at Indiana."
MIDFIELD
There is no shortage of talent in the Indiana midfield, leaving Freitag and his staff numerous options to pick from a pool of both experience and youthful exuberance.
All play in the midfield runs through senior captain Brad Ring. A unanimous All-Big Ten Selection, NSCAA/adidas second-team All-American and semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy last year, Ring is a player who will dominate defensively and can be a lethal scoring weapon.
"Brad is our `hub.'" Freitag said. "He is one of the best ball winners in the college game and is also an outstanding attacking player. Brad is well-rounded and a player I think will be on many national player of the year lists."
A healthy John Mellencamp returns for his final season after being limited to just 12 matches last year. Before being slowed by injury, Mellencamp had continued to show improvement as his time on the pitch increased.
"John brings experience and is another player you know you will get the most out of during his time on the field," Freitag said.
Junior Eric Alexander is coming off another solid season where he was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection. Alexander tied for the team lead in goals scored with five and was second in overall points with 11.
"Eric brings some exceptional skill and attacking flair to the game," Freitag said. "He has really grown on the defensive side and I see him continuing to develop into one of the top midfielders in the country."
Sophomore Andy Adlard made an immediate impact for IU with 19 appearances, including seven starts, and will play a role in Indiana's midfield attack.
"Andy is a young man who possesses a great knowledge of the game and technical ability," Freitag said.
If a goal was scored last season, chances are senior Billy Weaver played a role in the score. Weaver led the team with seven assists, including three in a victory over Kentucky, and added a goal of his own at Michigan.
"Billy knows what Indiana Soccer is all about," Freitag said. "He always leaves a positive mark on the game and can help us both in the midfield and up top. I expect a great senior campaign from Billy."
Perhaps the most surprising emergence from last year's team was the play of sophomore Rich Balchan. Balchan recorded four goals and three assists in 16 starts and earned the attention of the U.S. U-20 National Team.
"Rich had an outstanding freshman season and has developed so much in his first year at IU," Freitag said. "He is a young man who works hard, makes good decisions and is very reliable."
Senior Doug Reisinger is a player who has had to battle through numerous injuries but still plays an important role in the success of this team.
"Doug has great leadership ability and makes our team better every day through his work ethic and attitude," Freitag said.
Freshman Nick Blevins comes to Indiana as one of the most decorated players in Ohio High School history. Blevins is one of just two players in state history to join the 100/100 club with 100 career goals and 100 career assists.
"Nick is a good passer and is a player that will flourish in his time here," Freitag said.
Freshman Joe Tolen in an in-state player out of Evansville (Central) who earned all-state and all-region recognition as a senior.
"Joe is an in-state player who caught our eye," Freitag said. "He will be a positive influence on our team for years to come.
FORWARD
One area that Indiana continues to work on is its scoring power. Last year's team generated 31 goals on 343 shots. The full-time return of the Hoosiers' top-two scorers from 2006, as well as talented newcomers, should breathe new life into IU in the attacking third of the field.
Junior Darren Yeagle is back and healthy after missing all but nine games in 2007. Yeagle was the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading the team with seven goals and will be a big boost in the attack.
"Darren can play up top or we can use him in the midfield," Freitag said. "It will be exciting to see him back on the field with a winning attitude that we love."
Another player who struggled with injuries last season is senior Brian Ackley. Ackley made 12 appearances but was well off his 2006 form that saw him score seven goals and five assists and earn Offensive Player of the Big Ten Championship accolades.
"Brian is versatile and can also play in the middle, but his success in '06 up front is something we think he can replicate now that he is healthy," Freitag said.
Senior Kevin Noschang became the go-to player up top a season ago, resulting in five goals and second-team All-Big Ten honors. Consistency will be the key for Noschang in his final season at IU.
"Kevin is always a threat with his pace up top," Freitag said. "He can be a real threat to opposing defenses and I look forward to watching his production increase this season."
Sophomore Michael Roach was called upon to contribute immediately and responded with 18 appearances on the pitch, one goal and an assist. Roach has the size and strength to take on opposing defenders.
"Michael possesses some very creative and effective play in the offensive third of the field," Freitag said. "He is a very good passer and is dangerous in the box."
Sophomore Neil Wilmarth was the proverbial spark plug off the bench, appearing in 17 matches with a pair of game-winning goals and an assist.
"Coming off the bench, Neil's work-rate and fight are infectious," Freitag said. "I expect to see more of it this year."
Max Weston redshirted last season and is a player who can push his teammates as they work on their finishing in the final third of the field.
"Max has shown good attacking skills and continues to develop in other areas of his game," Freitag said. "I look forward to a confident Max this season." Redshirt freshman Alec Purdie sat out last season while recovering from an injury but showed his worth in the spring with a goal against UIC.
"Alec just has a nose for the goal," Freitag said. "He finds a way to put himself in good scoring position and makes good decisions."
One of the most prized recruits in the class of 2008, freshman Will Bruin joins a long line of former DeSmet (St. Louis) players who have chosen to play at IU, including Chris Klein, Pat Noonan and Mike Ambersley. Bruin holds the DeSmet career goals scored record with 102 and was the 2007 Missouri State Player of the Year. "I am excited about the arrival of Will to our program," Freitag said. "He has demonstrated he is a proven goal scorer at every level to this point and I don't expect that to change at college. His skills go hand-in-hand with his confidence and goal-scoring mentality."
Freshman Tim Wylie was a four-year starter at Carroll (Ft. Wayne) HS. He was a unanimous all-state and all-conference selection as a senior.
"Tim has good size and athleticism," Freitag said. "He has tremendous potential because of his willingness to learn and work hard."
SCHEDULE
As is tradition at Indiana, the Hoosiers will play one of the toughest schedules in the nation. No less than 11 2007 NCAA Tournament teams make up the 18-match slate, with nine games scheduled for the friendly confines on Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium.
The season opens with ACC power Duke and up-and-comer Akron in the annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic (Aug. 29 and 31).
The tournament schedule continues Sept. 5 and 7, against South Florida and Dartmouth at the Mike Berticelli Memorial Classic. The Hoosiers then head to the West Coast to face powerful UCLA (Sept. 12) and UC San Diego (Sept. 14).
Big Ten play opens on Sept. 21, with Wisconsin visiting Bloomington. That is the first of three conference home matches, followed by Michigan (Oct. 4), and Northwestern (Nov. 7).
It is a rematch of the 2004 NCAA title game on Sept. 27, when UC Santa Barbara visits Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers then have the first of three in-state darbys when they travel to Evansville on Sept. 30.
Indiana visits Butler on Oct. 7, and jumps back into Big Ten play at Michigan State on Oct. 12. An intense rivalry with Notre Dame continues with an Oct. 16 match, and IU looks to exact revenge on last year's overtime loss when Louisville comes to town on Oct. 22.
Perhaps the most hotly contested game of the Big Ten season comes on Oct. 26, at Ohio State. Last year the two teams played a pair of double overtime scoreless ties. The nonconference season ends on Oct. 29, with a home match against Kentucky, and the Hoosiers pay a visit to Penn State on Nov. 1.
This year's Big Ten Tournament will run Nov. 13-16 in Madison, Wis. The first round of the NCAA Tournament is set for Nov. 21 or 22, culminating in the College Cup Dec. 12-14, in Frisco, Texas.
Players Mentioned
