Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Prep for Preseason Matches at National Soccer Festival
8/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - With just a week of training in the books, the Indiana men's soccer team will see where it stands this weekend as it faces ACC power Duke and Xavier in a pair of preseason matches at the ShindigZ National Soccer Festival in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Indiana will face No. 23 Duke on Friday at 8:30 p.m. in a battle between the Big Ten and ACC. The two teams met in last year's Festival, with IU taking a 2-1 victory. These powers have also matched up seven times during regular season play, with the Hoosiers holding a 4-2-1 advantage. Their last regular-season meeting came at the 2008 adidas/IU Credit Union Classic, a 2-1 victory for IU.
"Duke is a team that is going to challenge and test this group, and that is what we need," said head coach Todd Yeagley. "We have been going at it pretty hard, but we are ready to play someone else."
Indiana closes out its preseason slate on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. when it faces Xavier. The teams have never met during the regular season, but the Musketeers are coming off an Atlantic 10 championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
This trip also serves as a homecoming for Fort Wayne natives Tim Wylie and Nate Mitchell. A redshirt junior forward, Wylie prepped at Carroll High School, while senior goalkeeper Mitchell hails from South Side.
The season kicks off in earnest on Saturday, Aug. 27 as the Hoosiers open play against preseason No. 12 Notre Dame. Indiana holds a 26-6-2 in this spirited in-state rivalry, but the Fighting Irish took last year's meeting with a 2-1 win in Bloomington. IU has won three of the last four meetings.
Top Drawer Soccer Ranks Hoosiers No. 11
In its Tournament 48 rankings, Top Drawer Soccer has placed the Hoosiers at No. 11, tops among Big Ten teams. Michigan comes in at No. 13, followed by No. 21 Michigan State and No. 33 Penn State. Also ranked among the Hoosiers' 2011 opponents are No. 4 Louisville, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 15 Creighton, No. 31 Denver, and No. 46 Bucknell. Indiana is also ranked No. 6 in the goal.com preseason poll, No. 15 by College Soccer News and No. 17 by the NSCAA.
Hoosier Army Enrollment Growing
Fans continue to sign up for the new Indiana Soccer supporters group, the Hoosier Army. The group is open to any and all IU fans and will feature special giveaways, meet and greets with the team, and seating in the fans section next to the field. For more information, visit the Hoosier Army Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoosier-Army-IU-Soccer-Supporters-Club/196449667074285
Season Tickets Still Available
IU men's soccer season tickets are currently on sale through the IU Ticket Office. Prices for the 8-game home package are $24 for adults and $8 for children. IU students get in free with their ID.
Players Mentioned
