Bezerra, Wittenbrink Goals Highlight IU’s Fifth Straight Shutout

Wednesday, October 20

Bloomington, Ind.

7:00 PM

Indiana University

10-3-1, 4-2-0

Evansville

1-11-1, 1-4-1

Evansville

Indiana

Junior forward Victor Bezerra tallied his team-leading fifth goal of the season to open the scoring in IU's 2-0 win over Evansville Wednesday (Oct. 20) night.

Bezerra, Wittenbrink Goals Highlight IU’s Fifth Straight Shutout

10/20/2021 11:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A pair of set piece goals and another solid defensive performance gave Indiana men's soccer (10-3-1, 4-2-0 B1G) its fifth straight shutout victory as the Hoosiers downed Evansville (1-11-1, 1-4-1 MVC), 2-0, Wednesday (Oct. 20) night on Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

KEY MOMENTS
• Dominating possession early in the opening half, the Hoosiers had their first shot on goal in the 17th minute when Ben Yeagley played a long through ball up to Tommy Mihalic. Mihalic dribbled wide into the box and unleashed a low, right-footed shot that forced a save from Evansville keeper Jacob Madden.
• Victor Bezerra earned a foul just outside of the 18-yard box as he cleverly dribbled through two defenders but was taken down by a third about 25 yards from goal. On the resulting free kick, Joe Schmidt tapped the ball for Bezerra, who struck a laser just inside the near post to give Indiana the lead 24 minutes in.
• In the 72nd minute, the Hoosiers were awarded another free kick deep in their offensive third after a late challenge on Ryan Wittenbrink down the left wing. Wittenbrink curled the set piece toward goal, and a deflection off Evansville defender Oliver Hald guided the ball into goal.

NOTABLES
• Indiana achieved its 47th double-digit win season in program history. The Hoosiers have failed to reach 10 wins only twice in the 49-year history of IU men's soccer (1986, 2013).
• IU has not allowed a goal in five straight matches, totaling 480 minutes of play. The Hoosiers have also won seven of their last eight contests while conceding just three goals during that span.
• The Hoosiers improved to 6-1-1 in non-conference matches this season.
• The win marked Indiana's 18th consecutive victory over Evansville and extended its unbeaten streak against the Purple Aces to 22 matches going back to the 1992 season.
• Victor Bezerra scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season. All five of those goals have come in Indiana's last six matches as well as three of his five assists, earning the junior forward 13 points in that span.
• Four of Bezerra's five goals have given Indiana a lead.
• Ryan Wittenbrink's goal was his second of the season.

UP NEXT
Indiana's focus shifts to its Sunday (Oct. 24) meeting with conference opponent Wisconsin (7-4-3, 3-2-1 B1G), a match that has major significance in the Big Ten regular season title race. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET from Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

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