Indiana University Athletics
Defense Keys Men's Soccer's Strong Start
9/24/2017 8:44:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BOOMINGTON, Ind. - Stingy is good.
Stingy gets you wins, which gets you to the postseason, which gets you championships, which gets you very, very happy.
Indiana has been soccer happy since Elvis was rolling out hits, and it's not changing anytime soon. Coach Todd Yeagley has the Hoosiers dominating just as his father, Jerry, did for a generation, and a possible ninth national title is in sight.
Why?
Stingy defense.
OK, the offense has helped in a major way, but the No. 1 strength remains the kind of shut-down defense – two goals in the first eight matches -- IU hasn't delivered since 1993.
The No. 2 Hoosiers (6-0-2) don't just prevent goals, they squeeze off shot attempts that could produce goals. Much of that credit goes to a deny everything back line of Andrew Gutman, Grant Lillard, Frankie Moore, Timmy Mehl, Jordan Kleyn and Rece Buckmaster.
IU has allowed just 69 shots in those first eight matches while generating 121 shots and 19 goals.
It's a good mix that leaves Todd Yeagley very happy. He's not completely happy because that would imply satisfaction, and it's way too early in the season for that from a veteran coach.
Still …
"We've only given up a few chances," Yeagley says.
"Goals can come. You can't look at the number (of goals allowed) because there might be a glory goal from the other team or ugly goals that happen as part of the game. To me it's the chances given up and the goals given up. You look at them separately and together. I feel we're doing well."
You shut out six of your first eight opponents as the Hoosiers have done and you're doing very well.
"It's Coach's mentality that he's instilled in us," Gutman says about the defensive approach. "Obviously he's a big defensive guy. He likes it when guys throw their bodies around. Everyone is committed to this program and has really bought in to what we believe. That's why we're getting the job done."
Indiana became a national power based on a defense-first approach. Jerry Yeagley used it as the foundation for his national-title-winning program (he won six), and his son has followed the formula, including his own national championship in 2012.
"Team defense has always been a strength," the younger Yeagley says. "We work on it. Our shape is good. We make it predictable for the players. Our principles are excellent and we have really good defenders on the back half of the field.
"When we get into 1 v 1 or 2 v 2 situations, I'm very confident. If the players are locked in and focused, which they are 99 percent of the time -- you want to be 100 percent -- I'm very confident. It's a combination of both. That's why we've given up only a few goals."
Gutman has his own thoughts for the strong defense.
"It's a mindset we have. Earlier this year we decided we would be really locked in on defense. Good defense turns to good offense. It's translated into games and we've been getting the job done.
"Grant and Timmy are two of the best center backs in the country. They're playing very well. It's nice to have them back there."
Add freshman goal keeper Trey Muse playing beyond his years (he's allowed just two goals with 20 saves) and you have national-title worthy defensive potential.
Beyond that, the Hoosiers are scoring. Not in the manner they did when Ken Snow was lighting up scoreboards across America in the 1980s, but enough to make a difference.
They've scored 19 goals in their first eight matches. Last year they needed 14 matches to reach 19 goals. The last time they scored so much so fast was in 2005.
Gutman expects that offense to continue, given his own scoring surge (his three goals this season are one more than he totaled in his first two years combined) and the influx of talented newcomers such as freshmen Toye Mason (team-leading seven points), Griffin Dorsey (four points) and Thomas Warr (team-leading three assists).
"I'm super optimistic," Gutman says. "We have a lot of good freshmen. The returners are really honed in. There's a different belief and mindset this year that we really have something special. A lot of guys have bought into it."
A week ago, IU was ranked No. 1 by major soccer polls. This week it is No. 2, and with No. 1 Notre Dame (6-1) coming to Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday, the chance to return to top-team status looms large.
It rates as perhaps the best regular-season showdown in the country.
The Hoosiers seem ready for it.
"We're seeing success," Gutman says. "Granted, it's early, but if we continue to believe in who we are and what we play and who we play for, we're going to have a lot of success this year."
IUHoosiers.com
BOOMINGTON, Ind. - Stingy is good.
Stingy gets you wins, which gets you to the postseason, which gets you championships, which gets you very, very happy.
Indiana has been soccer happy since Elvis was rolling out hits, and it's not changing anytime soon. Coach Todd Yeagley has the Hoosiers dominating just as his father, Jerry, did for a generation, and a possible ninth national title is in sight.
Why?
Stingy defense.
OK, the offense has helped in a major way, but the No. 1 strength remains the kind of shut-down defense – two goals in the first eight matches -- IU hasn't delivered since 1993.
The No. 2 Hoosiers (6-0-2) don't just prevent goals, they squeeze off shot attempts that could produce goals. Much of that credit goes to a deny everything back line of Andrew Gutman, Grant Lillard, Frankie Moore, Timmy Mehl, Jordan Kleyn and Rece Buckmaster.
IU has allowed just 69 shots in those first eight matches while generating 121 shots and 19 goals.
It's a good mix that leaves Todd Yeagley very happy. He's not completely happy because that would imply satisfaction, and it's way too early in the season for that from a veteran coach.
Still …
"We've only given up a few chances," Yeagley says.
"Goals can come. You can't look at the number (of goals allowed) because there might be a glory goal from the other team or ugly goals that happen as part of the game. To me it's the chances given up and the goals given up. You look at them separately and together. I feel we're doing well."
You shut out six of your first eight opponents as the Hoosiers have done and you're doing very well.
"It's Coach's mentality that he's instilled in us," Gutman says about the defensive approach. "Obviously he's a big defensive guy. He likes it when guys throw their bodies around. Everyone is committed to this program and has really bought in to what we believe. That's why we're getting the job done."
Indiana became a national power based on a defense-first approach. Jerry Yeagley used it as the foundation for his national-title-winning program (he won six), and his son has followed the formula, including his own national championship in 2012.
"Team defense has always been a strength," the younger Yeagley says. "We work on it. Our shape is good. We make it predictable for the players. Our principles are excellent and we have really good defenders on the back half of the field.
"When we get into 1 v 1 or 2 v 2 situations, I'm very confident. If the players are locked in and focused, which they are 99 percent of the time -- you want to be 100 percent -- I'm very confident. It's a combination of both. That's why we've given up only a few goals."
Gutman has his own thoughts for the strong defense.
"It's a mindset we have. Earlier this year we decided we would be really locked in on defense. Good defense turns to good offense. It's translated into games and we've been getting the job done.
"Grant and Timmy are two of the best center backs in the country. They're playing very well. It's nice to have them back there."
Add freshman goal keeper Trey Muse playing beyond his years (he's allowed just two goals with 20 saves) and you have national-title worthy defensive potential.
Beyond that, the Hoosiers are scoring. Not in the manner they did when Ken Snow was lighting up scoreboards across America in the 1980s, but enough to make a difference.
They've scored 19 goals in their first eight matches. Last year they needed 14 matches to reach 19 goals. The last time they scored so much so fast was in 2005.
Gutman expects that offense to continue, given his own scoring surge (his three goals this season are one more than he totaled in his first two years combined) and the influx of talented newcomers such as freshmen Toye Mason (team-leading seven points), Griffin Dorsey (four points) and Thomas Warr (team-leading three assists).
"I'm super optimistic," Gutman says. "We have a lot of good freshmen. The returners are really honed in. There's a different belief and mindset this year that we really have something special. A lot of guys have bought into it."
A week ago, IU was ranked No. 1 by major soccer polls. This week it is No. 2, and with No. 1 Notre Dame (6-1) coming to Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday, the chance to return to top-team status looms large.
It rates as perhaps the best regular-season showdown in the country.
The Hoosiers seem ready for it.
"We're seeing success," Gutman says. "Granted, it's early, but if we continue to believe in who we are and what we play and who we play for, we're going to have a lot of success this year."
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
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Defender
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Forward
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