Patience Pays Off as IU Aims for Ninth National Title
5/17/2021 1:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Patience matters.
Indiana's soccer juggernaut is proof of that.
As it prepares to face Marshall Monday night at North Carolina's Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for a ninth national championship (one behind St. Louis' record 10), opportunity comes, not just thanks to guys with accolades (highlighted by All-Americans forward Victor Bezerra, goalkeeper Roman Celentano and defender Spencer Glass), but from players who will one day win them.
"We have a lot of guys putting in really big minutes that are developmental players in our program," Indiana coach Todd Yeagley said.
Veterans such as Joe Schmidt and A.J. Palazzolo bided their time, and now reap the rewards.
"Players come in and wait one or two years; they wait behind the All-Americans before them," Yeagley says. "They develop."
Do they ever.
Consider second-ranked IU (12-1-2) has surged through the Big Ten and NCAA tourneys without Glass, who broke his leg just before the postseason started.
Reserves such as Ben Yeagley have stepped up.
Beyond that, while more and more college teams load up with International players, Yeagley and his staff don't overlook American talent. That includes 11 on the roster from the state of Indiana, led by Glass (Fort Wayne) and forward Thomas Warr (Zionsville).
Yeagley calls this 16th national title game appearance stretched over 45 years a, "Great showcase for our American players that we can compete with any of the international players."
IU wins without a powerhouse offense, although its attack is ruthlessly efficient. The Hoosiers rely on a dominant defense, pick their offensive moments and become "ultra-aggressive."
"This team has a lot of strength in key spots -- up the spine, industrious center midfield experience; they know what they need to do," Yeagley says. "We have a goal scorer in Vic and some unbalancing players wide that can cause a lot of problems (see Herbert Endeley's game-winning goal against Pitt).
"With all of that, we're really good in team defending. Our defensive principles are sound. We can keep it tight and wait for the moment."
No one in the nation can match Celentano's 10 shutouts.
His 52 saves show he's been tested, and often, against some of the nation's best offenses (see Pitt) and thrived.
"Roman has been amazing all season," Endeley says. "I don't think there's anybody better than him in college at his position. Every player knows we know we can count on him when we need him."
Adds Yeagley: "He gives everyone confidence. We feel he's the best goalkeeper in the game. He's able to take shots from distance. He doesn't give much up. His air play is fantastic. It allows your defenders to be more aggressive in their 1-v-1 moments."
Friday's 1-0 victory over Pitt was a prime example. Centerbacks Daniel Munie and Joey Maher went one on one with the Panthers to stop attacks, but it came with risk if they got beat.
Celentano limits the risk.
"Roman gives you the confidence to do that, because if (opponents) do find a moment, he's there to make a big save," Yeagley says.
"He allows us to handle balls in the air. We're fortunate to have him. He's as humble and hard working as anyone I've ever coached. He epitomizes what we look for at IU."
Tenth-ranked Marshall (12-2-3) might be making its first appearance in a national title game, but it isn't a fluke. The Thundering Herd beat No. 23 Fordham 2-1 in overtime in its NCAA tourney opener, stunned No. 1 Clemson 7-6 in a penalty kick shootout, then edged defending national champ Georgetown 1-0 to reach its first College Cup.
They slipped past No. 16 North Carolina 1-0 in Friday's semifinals, scoring with their only shot of the game.
Marshall has its own imposing goalkeeper in Oliver Semmle. He's allowed seven goals while totaling 25 saves.
The Thundering Herd also have an All-America in Victor Dias, who has six goals (two game winners) and six assists for 18 points. Jamil Roberts has three game-winning goals, and four overall.
Three other players have at least three goals.
Like Pitt, Marshall pushes the attack. It averages 15 shots a game (basically five more than IU), and has a 29-8 edge in goals scored over opponents.
The Hoosiers are at 31-5.
This culminates a steady four-year progression under coach Chris Grassie. After losing records in his first two years, Marshall went 16-3-3 with a Sweet 16 appearance and a final ranking of No. 11 in 2019.
That set the stage for this history-making run.
"They are very good with their ability to keep the ball and possess the ball in the back half," Yeagley says. "They are International heavy and have sophisticated players with experience."
IU beat Pitt in front of an official crowd of 2,667, many of them Hoosier fans. It was the first time more than family members had attended a game in this pandemic-disrupted season, and it was much appreciated.
"It was our most enjoyable game of the year, not because we won, but because of that," Yeagley says. "Our team has been starving for that.
"IU fans are the best. Look throughout the years, no matter when the College Cup is, we travel. IU fans are there.
"That was the X factor in the second half. It was such a big deal to have them part of this. To get it at the most important time of the season, is truly neat."
Adds Endeley: "We've had very few fans all season. The energy was contagious. We felt it. It's been a long time. We were happy to have a crowd."
With a crowd of 5,000 expected Monday night, many of the Hoosier fans, more happiness awaits.
@IndianaMSOC
For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMSOC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Patience matters.
Indiana's soccer juggernaut is proof of that.
As it prepares to face Marshall Monday night at North Carolina's Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for a ninth national championship (one behind St. Louis' record 10), opportunity comes, not just thanks to guys with accolades (highlighted by All-Americans forward Victor Bezerra, goalkeeper Roman Celentano and defender Spencer Glass), but from players who will one day win them.
"We have a lot of guys putting in really big minutes that are developmental players in our program," Indiana coach Todd Yeagley said.
Veterans such as Joe Schmidt and A.J. Palazzolo bided their time, and now reap the rewards.
"Players come in and wait one or two years; they wait behind the All-Americans before them," Yeagley says. "They develop."
Do they ever.
Consider second-ranked IU (12-1-2) has surged through the Big Ten and NCAA tourneys without Glass, who broke his leg just before the postseason started.
Reserves such as Ben Yeagley have stepped up.
Beyond that, while more and more college teams load up with International players, Yeagley and his staff don't overlook American talent. That includes 11 on the roster from the state of Indiana, led by Glass (Fort Wayne) and forward Thomas Warr (Zionsville).
Yeagley calls this 16th national title game appearance stretched over 45 years a, "Great showcase for our American players that we can compete with any of the international players."
IU wins without a powerhouse offense, although its attack is ruthlessly efficient. The Hoosiers rely on a dominant defense, pick their offensive moments and become "ultra-aggressive."
"This team has a lot of strength in key spots -- up the spine, industrious center midfield experience; they know what they need to do," Yeagley says. "We have a goal scorer in Vic and some unbalancing players wide that can cause a lot of problems (see Herbert Endeley's game-winning goal against Pitt).
"With all of that, we're really good in team defending. Our defensive principles are sound. We can keep it tight and wait for the moment."
No one in the nation can match Celentano's 10 shutouts.
His 52 saves show he's been tested, and often, against some of the nation's best offenses (see Pitt) and thrived.
"Roman has been amazing all season," Endeley says. "I don't think there's anybody better than him in college at his position. Every player knows we know we can count on him when we need him."
Adds Yeagley: "He gives everyone confidence. We feel he's the best goalkeeper in the game. He's able to take shots from distance. He doesn't give much up. His air play is fantastic. It allows your defenders to be more aggressive in their 1-v-1 moments."
Friday's 1-0 victory over Pitt was a prime example. Centerbacks Daniel Munie and Joey Maher went one on one with the Panthers to stop attacks, but it came with risk if they got beat.
Celentano limits the risk.
"Roman gives you the confidence to do that, because if (opponents) do find a moment, he's there to make a big save," Yeagley says.
"He allows us to handle balls in the air. We're fortunate to have him. He's as humble and hard working as anyone I've ever coached. He epitomizes what we look for at IU."
Tenth-ranked Marshall (12-2-3) might be making its first appearance in a national title game, but it isn't a fluke. The Thundering Herd beat No. 23 Fordham 2-1 in overtime in its NCAA tourney opener, stunned No. 1 Clemson 7-6 in a penalty kick shootout, then edged defending national champ Georgetown 1-0 to reach its first College Cup.
They slipped past No. 16 North Carolina 1-0 in Friday's semifinals, scoring with their only shot of the game.
Marshall has its own imposing goalkeeper in Oliver Semmle. He's allowed seven goals while totaling 25 saves.
The Thundering Herd also have an All-America in Victor Dias, who has six goals (two game winners) and six assists for 18 points. Jamil Roberts has three game-winning goals, and four overall.
Three other players have at least three goals.
Like Pitt, Marshall pushes the attack. It averages 15 shots a game (basically five more than IU), and has a 29-8 edge in goals scored over opponents.
The Hoosiers are at 31-5.
This culminates a steady four-year progression under coach Chris Grassie. After losing records in his first two years, Marshall went 16-3-3 with a Sweet 16 appearance and a final ranking of No. 11 in 2019.
That set the stage for this history-making run.
"They are very good with their ability to keep the ball and possess the ball in the back half," Yeagley says. "They are International heavy and have sophisticated players with experience."
IU beat Pitt in front of an official crowd of 2,667, many of them Hoosier fans. It was the first time more than family members had attended a game in this pandemic-disrupted season, and it was much appreciated.
"It was our most enjoyable game of the year, not because we won, but because of that," Yeagley says. "Our team has been starving for that.
"IU fans are the best. Look throughout the years, no matter when the College Cup is, we travel. IU fans are there.
"That was the X factor in the second half. It was such a big deal to have them part of this. To get it at the most important time of the season, is truly neat."
Adds Endeley: "We've had very few fans all season. The energy was contagious. We felt it. It's been a long time. We were happy to have a crowd."
With a crowd of 5,000 expected Monday night, many of the Hoosier fans, more happiness awaits.
@IndianaMSOC
For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMSOC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
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