No. 4 Hoosiers Post Fourth-Straight Shutout in 0-0 Draw at Rutgers

Friday, September 23

Piscataway, N.J.

8:00 PM

Indiana University

5-0-4, 1-0-3B1G

Rutgers

0-6-1, 0-3-1B1G

OT 3

OT 4

Indiana

Rutgers

No. 4 Hoosiers Post Fourth-Straight Shutout in 0-0 Draw at Rutgers

9/23/2016 11:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The No. 4-ranked Indiana University men's soccer team traveled to Piscataway, N.J. and played the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to a 0-0 draw on Friday night.

With the draw, Indiana remains unbeaten on the season through the team's first nine games for the first time since 1997. IU is 5-0-4 on the season overall and 1-0-3 in Big Ten conference play. Rutgers improves to 0-6-1 on the year and to 0-3-1 in league action.

"I thought we created a lot of great chances," IU head coach Todd Yeagley said following the match. "Rutgers fought hard and played maybe their best game of the year. They gave us a couple of difficult looks, but I thought overall we had control of the game. In the end, it's disappointing we didn't get the win, but our team defending and overall play has been very good and, hopefully, we will be able to pick up some points heading in to these next Big Ten games."

IU goalkeeper Colin Webb continued his great play on the season, posting his Big Ten-leading sixth shutout of the season, making five saves. The Hoosiers' four-straight shutouts is the longest such streak since 2007.

Offensively, Tanner Thompson and Richard Ballard led the way for Indiana. Ballard had a game-high six shots, getting five on frame, while Thompson got three of his four shots on goal. Phil Fives had four shots for IU, while Cory Thomas had three.

In a scoreless first half, the Hoosiers dominated possession, out-shooting the Scarlet Knights, 10-3. IU had four shots on goal in the first 45 minutes to just one for RU.

IU had some nice looks at goal in the first half, but the best effort came in the 42^nd minute. Working on the left side of the pitch and coming back to midfield, Thompson drew a foul on Rutgers from 23 yards out, just left of center.

The senior struck a beautiful shot on the ensuing free kick, but a diving effort from the RU goalkeeper to the far left post was good enough to make the save and send the two teams to the half 0-0.

In the second half and in to the extra sessions, the Hoosiers had the best of the chances. Thompson nearly scored twice off two free kicks – one in the second half and one in the second overtime – from nearly the same spot. Both times Thompson's great efforts were thwarted by diving saves by the Rutgers' goalkeeper.

In the first overtime, Cory Thomas nearly won the game twice for the Hoosiers in a matter of seconds. In a scrum in the middle of the 18-yard box, the RU goalie got off his line, allowing Thomas a clean look at goal. His shot was cleared away at the last second, however, by a defender.

Seconds later, Thomas' header at the right post missed by just inches, clanging off the inside of the woodwork, back in to play to get cleared.

In the final 10 minutes, Webb came up with two huge saves for the Hoosiers, preserving the 0-0 draw.

The No. 4 Hoosiers will return to Bloomington to host No. 10-ranked Butler on Wednesday at Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.

For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.