Indiana University Athletics
DiPrimio: “Special Players who Make Plays” – Hoosiers Leaving Their Mark in Run to Title Match
12/10/2022 1:08:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
CARY, N.C. – Of course, it was Ryan Wittenbrink.
The Indiana senior forward's season to remember, during which he has become a down-the-stretch closer of the highest order, reached College Cup heights Friday night. His sixth game-winning goal of the season gave the 13th-seeded Hoosiers a lead they never lost in a 2-0 victory over unseeded Pitt in the semifinals.
Of course, it was goalkeeper JT Harms, whose three saves, two of diving spectacle, reflected a season of remarkable growth.
Of course, it was forward Herbert Endeley, who continues to break Pitt hearts, and forward Tommy Mihalic, whose first-half ending goal basically ensured a happy Hoosier ending.
"We have special players who make plays," coach Todd Yeagley said.
The result: IU (14-4-6) has advanced to its NCAA record 17th title game. It is 8-8 in previous opportunities. On Monday night, it will face No. 3-seed Syracuse (18-2-4), a 3-2 winner over unseeded Creighton in the first semifinal. This is Syracuse's first championship game appearance.
"It's always special to have an opportunity to play in a championship game," Yeagley said. "It's been a heck of a journey to evolve as we have.
"We're playing our best soccer of the year. They're 90 minutes away from forever leaving their mark."
Few Hoosiers have left bigger marks than Wittenbrink, who has developed from a role player to an elite scorer on a perennial powerhouse.
"This has been a blast," he said. "The culture we've established is remarkable. It's cool that we've been able to represent it so well.
"It's hard to get back to a College Cup. We look forward to the opportunity."
Wittenbrink's 10th goal of the season came 14 minutes into the game after he blasted a shot that goalkeeper Joe van der Sar deflected, which led to Pitt fouling Endeley in the box, which led to a penalty kick, which Wittenbrink blasted, which van der Sar deflected, which Wittenbrink put away.
Then, with 20 seconds left in the half, Mihalic got his seventh goal of the season, a 12-yard strike from an angle few could have converted. It came off an Endeley assist.
Given the Hoosiers' NCAA tourney dominating defense, during which it hadn't allowed a goal in three previous games and 270 minutes, Pitt's comeback chances approached zero.
Then zero arrived. IU's not-allow-a-goal streak is at 360 minutes and counting.
"This is something that has been coming along for a long time," Harms said. "We played a great schedule. We defend with 11 players. We have a fantastic back line. We've really improved. We're taking care of things."
Added Pitt coach Jay Vidovich: "The energy and timing we needed to play with was off. The first goal hurt us; the second goal killed us. It was tough to come back from that."
IU has played Pitt three times. Endeley had the game-winning goals in the first two meetings, then had a crucial assist Friday night.
"He's caused me a lot of pain," Vidovich said.
Vidovich talked about IU's pressure that kept the Panthers from finding runs.
"Indiana's marking is fantastic. Their 1 on 1 battles were fantastic. Our runs were off. Our passes were off."
And then the Panthers' season was over.
"This is a hard pillow to swallow," Pitt midfielder Noel Valentin said. "We know we had more to give."
Wittenbrink's goal gave IU the early lead, but not security. With 20 minutes left in the half, Harms' diving save maintained the shutout. It was Pitt's first shot of the game. It would not have another the rest of the half.
The Hoosiers made it 2-0 20 seconds before halftime when Mihalic scored off an Endeley assist.
Pitt (12-5-5) picked up the offensive pace to start the second half, but needed 12 minutes to get its second shot, then got a third a minute after that, and then its fourth seconds after that. A Harms save kept the shutout going.
The clock ticked down to 25 minutes, then 20. Pitt tried -- and failed -- to generate dangerous scoring opportunities, or even a fifth shot.
With 15 minutes left, the Panthers came close off a header. Harms made another diving save.
IU's Samuel Sarver missed on a scoring chance with 10 minutes left. Pitt got off two more shots. Two more times it came up empty.
The Hoosiers would have their title-game shot.
"Pitt asks a lot of questions," Yeagley said, "and we had a lot of answers."
On Monday night, IU needs one more answer to win its first national title since 2012.
"The job isn't done," Harms said. "We're looking forward to Monday night."
IUHoosiers.com
CARY, N.C. – Of course, it was Ryan Wittenbrink.
The Indiana senior forward's season to remember, during which he has become a down-the-stretch closer of the highest order, reached College Cup heights Friday night. His sixth game-winning goal of the season gave the 13th-seeded Hoosiers a lead they never lost in a 2-0 victory over unseeded Pitt in the semifinals.
Of course, it was goalkeeper JT Harms, whose three saves, two of diving spectacle, reflected a season of remarkable growth.
Of course, it was forward Herbert Endeley, who continues to break Pitt hearts, and forward Tommy Mihalic, whose first-half ending goal basically ensured a happy Hoosier ending.
"We have special players who make plays," coach Todd Yeagley said.
The result: IU (14-4-6) has advanced to its NCAA record 17th title game. It is 8-8 in previous opportunities. On Monday night, it will face No. 3-seed Syracuse (18-2-4), a 3-2 winner over unseeded Creighton in the first semifinal. This is Syracuse's first championship game appearance.
"It's always special to have an opportunity to play in a championship game," Yeagley said. "It's been a heck of a journey to evolve as we have.
"We're playing our best soccer of the year. They're 90 minutes away from forever leaving their mark."
Few Hoosiers have left bigger marks than Wittenbrink, who has developed from a role player to an elite scorer on a perennial powerhouse.
"This has been a blast," he said. "The culture we've established is remarkable. It's cool that we've been able to represent it so well.
"It's hard to get back to a College Cup. We look forward to the opportunity."
Wittenbrink's 10th goal of the season came 14 minutes into the game after he blasted a shot that goalkeeper Joe van der Sar deflected, which led to Pitt fouling Endeley in the box, which led to a penalty kick, which Wittenbrink blasted, which van der Sar deflected, which Wittenbrink put away.
Then, with 20 seconds left in the half, Mihalic got his seventh goal of the season, a 12-yard strike from an angle few could have converted. It came off an Endeley assist.
Given the Hoosiers' NCAA tourney dominating defense, during which it hadn't allowed a goal in three previous games and 270 minutes, Pitt's comeback chances approached zero.
Then zero arrived. IU's not-allow-a-goal streak is at 360 minutes and counting.
"This is something that has been coming along for a long time," Harms said. "We played a great schedule. We defend with 11 players. We have a fantastic back line. We've really improved. We're taking care of things."
Added Pitt coach Jay Vidovich: "The energy and timing we needed to play with was off. The first goal hurt us; the second goal killed us. It was tough to come back from that."
IU has played Pitt three times. Endeley had the game-winning goals in the first two meetings, then had a crucial assist Friday night.
"He's caused me a lot of pain," Vidovich said.
Vidovich talked about IU's pressure that kept the Panthers from finding runs.
"Indiana's marking is fantastic. Their 1 on 1 battles were fantastic. Our runs were off. Our passes were off."
And then the Panthers' season was over.
"This is a hard pillow to swallow," Pitt midfielder Noel Valentin said. "We know we had more to give."
Wittenbrink's goal gave IU the early lead, but not security. With 20 minutes left in the half, Harms' diving save maintained the shutout. It was Pitt's first shot of the game. It would not have another the rest of the half.
The Hoosiers made it 2-0 20 seconds before halftime when Mihalic scored off an Endeley assist.
Pitt (12-5-5) picked up the offensive pace to start the second half, but needed 12 minutes to get its second shot, then got a third a minute after that, and then its fourth seconds after that. A Harms save kept the shutout going.
The clock ticked down to 25 minutes, then 20. Pitt tried -- and failed -- to generate dangerous scoring opportunities, or even a fifth shot.
With 15 minutes left, the Panthers came close off a header. Harms made another diving save.
IU's Samuel Sarver missed on a scoring chance with 10 minutes left. Pitt got off two more shots. Two more times it came up empty.
The Hoosiers would have their title-game shot.
"Pitt asks a lot of questions," Yeagley said, "and we had a lot of answers."
On Monday night, IU needs one more answer to win its first national title since 2012.
"The job isn't done," Harms said. "We're looking forward to Monday night."
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
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