Happy Hoosiers – IU Finds Fun Amid NCAA Tourney Pressure
5/6/2021 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Could the road to an Indiana soccer national championship include beach time?
The short answer – yes, if the Hoosiers have any say about it.
Third-seeded IU (9-1-2), facing another potential grueling NCAA tourney game, this time in Thursday's Sweet Sixteen matchup with Marquette (8-2-2) as a follow-up to its draining PK shootout win over St. Francis Brooklyn on Sunday, hit a North Carolina beach on Monday as part of its recovery.
"It was fun to have the guys get in the water," coach Todd Yeagley says. "Any time you're near the ocean and you get the opportunity, you're going to get into the water.
"It was a recovery day and the ocean was part of it."
Titles aren't won by work alone. You've got to add fun to the pressure, training and scouting, and Yeagley and his staff include that in their preparations.
"The guys are playing some fun games. The card games are going well. So are the board games. We've had some good battles."
The quest for that competitive edge, you see, never goes away.
"We're keeping them engaged and having a good time," Yeagley says. "You've got to keep them really enjoying it, keep them loose."
That includes the meals and the rest of the down time amid pandemic restrictions.
"We're being as creative as we can," Yeagley says. "We're changing up the meals. Guys are super happy right now."
Happiness, of course, centers on winning, and the Hoosiers are doing plenty of that. They are unbeaten in their last nine matches. They are four victories away from a ninth national title.
It should help to get freshman defender Joey Maher back. He was suspended for the St. Francis victory after getting ejected during the Big Ten tourney title-game win over Penn State.
"As a true freshman, his leadership, his feel, his passing range (are very important)," Yeagley says. "He brings the continuity of our back line with Spencer being out."
That would be veteran defender Spencer Glass, out with a season-ending leg injury.
Maher's versatility, Yeagley adds, rivals that of sophomore defender Brett Bebej.
"He has played almost everywhere in the midfield and back line. He's trying to catch Bebej as a Swiss army knife. He will be great to get back."
With Maher and Glass out, IU had to improvise its defense against St. Francis. Freshman Lawson Redmon made his first start. Bebej switched to center back, with A.J. Palazzolo and Maouloune Goumballe on the backline.
Still, IU found a way behind shut-down goalkeeper Roman Celentano, who has allowed just four goals all season. He had three saves in the PK shootout.
"Our (defensive) confidence sets us up well for a tournament run," Yeagley says. "The Big Ten has a lot of different styles, a lot of great coaches. Going against that that gives you confidence. What a great conference to prepare for all types of teams.
"You have to be good defensively to go deep in the tournament. If our attack is a little off, we can get through it."
Marquette, coached by Louis Bennett, is in the Sweet Sixteen round for just the second time in school history. Six of its eight wins have come in overtime.
The Golden Flashes are led by junior forward Luka Sunesson. Like IU's Victor Bezerra, he's a Hermann Award semifinalist after scoring six goals, with two game-winners.
"Their striker is a handful," Yeagley says. "He's their key guy. He's strong. He works his tail off."
Besides Sunesson, "They have a lot of technical players who can beat you on the run or off the dribble."
Goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood has allowed 11 goals in 12 starts.
"Marquette will be a tough match," Yeagley says. "They had a great season. The Big East is a tough conference. They've been battle tested. They will be prepared."
And if IU ends up in a third-straight penalty kick situation, Yeagley won't sweat it. For one thing, he has Celentano. For another …
"Our fitness is in a good place. We have enough depth to spell guys."
@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. – Could the road to an Indiana soccer national championship include beach time?
The short answer – yes, if the Hoosiers have any say about it.
Third-seeded IU (9-1-2), facing another potential grueling NCAA tourney game, this time in Thursday's Sweet Sixteen matchup with Marquette (8-2-2) as a follow-up to its draining PK shootout win over St. Francis Brooklyn on Sunday, hit a North Carolina beach on Monday as part of its recovery.
"It was fun to have the guys get in the water," coach Todd Yeagley says. "Any time you're near the ocean and you get the opportunity, you're going to get into the water.
"It was a recovery day and the ocean was part of it."
Titles aren't won by work alone. You've got to add fun to the pressure, training and scouting, and Yeagley and his staff include that in their preparations.
"The guys are playing some fun games. The card games are going well. So are the board games. We've had some good battles."
The quest for that competitive edge, you see, never goes away.
"We're keeping them engaged and having a good time," Yeagley says. "You've got to keep them really enjoying it, keep them loose."
That includes the meals and the rest of the down time amid pandemic restrictions.
"We're being as creative as we can," Yeagley says. "We're changing up the meals. Guys are super happy right now."
Happiness, of course, centers on winning, and the Hoosiers are doing plenty of that. They are unbeaten in their last nine matches. They are four victories away from a ninth national title.
It should help to get freshman defender Joey Maher back. He was suspended for the St. Francis victory after getting ejected during the Big Ten tourney title-game win over Penn State.
"As a true freshman, his leadership, his feel, his passing range (are very important)," Yeagley says. "He brings the continuity of our back line with Spencer being out."
That would be veteran defender Spencer Glass, out with a season-ending leg injury.
Maher's versatility, Yeagley adds, rivals that of sophomore defender Brett Bebej.
"He has played almost everywhere in the midfield and back line. He's trying to catch Bebej as a Swiss army knife. He will be great to get back."
With Maher and Glass out, IU had to improvise its defense against St. Francis. Freshman Lawson Redmon made his first start. Bebej switched to center back, with A.J. Palazzolo and Maouloune Goumballe on the backline.
Still, IU found a way behind shut-down goalkeeper Roman Celentano, who has allowed just four goals all season. He had three saves in the PK shootout.
"Our (defensive) confidence sets us up well for a tournament run," Yeagley says. "The Big Ten has a lot of different styles, a lot of great coaches. Going against that that gives you confidence. What a great conference to prepare for all types of teams.
"You have to be good defensively to go deep in the tournament. If our attack is a little off, we can get through it."
Marquette, coached by Louis Bennett, is in the Sweet Sixteen round for just the second time in school history. Six of its eight wins have come in overtime.
The Golden Flashes are led by junior forward Luka Sunesson. Like IU's Victor Bezerra, he's a Hermann Award semifinalist after scoring six goals, with two game-winners.
"Their striker is a handful," Yeagley says. "He's their key guy. He's strong. He works his tail off."
Besides Sunesson, "They have a lot of technical players who can beat you on the run or off the dribble."
Goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood has allowed 11 goals in 12 starts.
"Marquette will be a tough match," Yeagley says. "They had a great season. The Big East is a tough conference. They've been battle tested. They will be prepared."
And if IU ends up in a third-straight penalty kick situation, Yeagley won't sweat it. For one thing, he has Celentano. For another …
"Our fitness is in a good place. We have enough depth to spell guys."
@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
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's SoccerFB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 2 (Kennesaw State)
Thursday, September 04
FB: D'Angelo Ponds Media Availability (9/2/25)
Tuesday, September 02
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (9/2/25)
Tuesday, September 02
Indiana University Athletics: Hoosier the Bison's First Entrance
Saturday, August 30