Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Kentucky
No. 9 Indiana Blanks No. 13 Kentucky, 3-0
9/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 29, 2009
Box Score
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Led by a pair of scores from Andy Adlard and the first career goal from redshirt freshman Nick Blevins, the ninth-ranked Indiana men's soccer team cruised to a 3-0 victory over No. 13 Kentucky Tuesday night on Jerry Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers improve to 5-2-1 on the season, while UK drops to 7-2.
Listening to suggestions from his players, head coach Mike Freitag shifted to more of a 4-4-2 look with Darren Yeagle earning the start up top with Bruin and Cameron Jordan starting in the midfield.
"I listed to the guys and some ideas they had, and we changed things up a bit," Freitag said. "I think the guys felt comfortable and I think tonight they took a big step in taking ownership of their team."
There was very little action to start the game as the Hoosiers' first real chance at the net came in the 17th minute when Will Bruin collected a feed from Lee Hagedorn and took a shot that popped off Kentucky goalkeeper Dan Williams. Just over 10 minutes later, Eric Alexander took a running shot on goal that was covered by Williams.
With 15:58 left in the first half, Adlard would head home what would be the game-winning score for his second goal of the year. The play developed way in the back as Ofori Sarkodie hit a running Hagedorn, who dished off to Bruin. Bruin tried to make a diving header attempt on the ball but missed, and the ball came back out to Darren Yeagle in the field of play.
Yeagle got the ball to Alexander and the senior's fancy footwork gave him space from his defenders, allowing him to serve the ball into the box where Adlard came running in with the header for the score. The teams would go to the half with the Hoosiers up 1-0 on the scoreboard and holding a 5-1 advantage in shot attempts.
Goal number two of the night for Adlard came in the 61st minute. Rich Balchan laid the ball off to Adlard, who was making a run from behind, and he slotted the ball around Williams and into the lower right corner for his third goal of the season.
"Andy would be the first to tell you that he had not been playing well lately," Freitag said. "We talked about what he needed to do to be effective, and I think he had a great game tonight."
Freitag made a lineup switch at the half with Blevins earning the start in the second period, and less than three minutes after Adlard's goal the move paid off. Blevins found himself taking his first career shot and finding the back of the net for a 3-0 Hoosier lead. Bruin played the ball to Blevins, who was making a run through the middle of the field, and he took on Williams one-on-one, winning the battle for the score.
"Nick is very good on the ball and we felt we needed somebody to take care of the ball at the back of the midfield a little bit better," Freitag said. "We took a leap of faith, gave him some time and I thought he did well with his time. I am very happy for him."
Indiana finished with a 13-8 shot advantage, including an attempt from Balchan in the 87th minute that was saved by Williams, but the save bounced off the right post and over the line for a goal kick.
The schedule does not let up for the Hoosiers as they head back on the road to take on No. 11 UC Santa Barbara on Friday night in Santa Barbara, Calif. The 11 p.m. ET match will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel.
