Indiana University Athletics
DiPrimio: IU’s ‘Mr. November’ Finds Career-Best Form
11/10/2023 3:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON – "Mr. November," Todd Yeagley says, and the nickname resonates. Maouloune Goumballe has certainly earned that distinction in Indiana men's soccer lore.
And perhaps more.
When you consider the senior forward's accomplishments in the late months over the previous four seasons, they represent a level of sustained excellence that stands out at a tradition-rich program that offers so many examples.
Now that Goumballe has found his point-scoring form – four goals and an assist in the last four matches, including Wednesday night's game-winning goal against Michigan in the Big Ten tourney semifinals – who knows what's next?
In fact, if you've seen what the Hoosiers traditionally do as fall morphs into winter in recent years (four College Cups in the last six seasons including three national runner-up finishes), and in all years (eight national titles, a record 22 College Cup appearances), you do know.
On Sunday, top-seed IU (11-4-4) faces second-seed Penn State (10-3-5) for the Big Ten tourney championship at Bill Armstrong Stadium. It is the Hoosiers' record seventh-straight conference tournament championship appearance.
Goumballe figures to be a catalyst, which is what you'd expect from a three-time all-Big Ten academic standout who scored the NCAA tourney quarterfinal match winner over UNC Greensboro in 2022, an NCAA tourney match-winning goal over Marquette and a huge NCAA quarterfinal goal against Seton Hall, both in 2021.
No other college soccer player in America can match his 103 career matches played.
"Pressure is a privilege," he says, "and I take it well."
Before his recent surge, Goumballe had been locked in a team-wide scoring slump as part of a 3-3-4 start that threatened to jeopardize IU's 36-year NCAA tourney streak. He had totaled just one assist and no goals in the team's first 15 matches.
Eight wins in nine matches later, jeopardy is gone, and Goumballe is a scoring dyno. His four goals and nine points are career highs.
"The last few performances have pushed Maouloune," Yeagley says. "When you have that confidence, it takes you to another level."
For Goumballe, it's all about team.
"We weren't getting results. Our coach kept telling us that if we keep playing the way we're playing, results will come."
They have.
"At this time of the year," Goumballe says, "when the games are most important, we're playing our best soccer. That's good to see."
Goumballe is a big part of IU's surge. His two goals against Michigan, highlighted by the sliding rebound game winner, typify his big-moment reputation.
Yeagley calls it, "unlocking Maouloune." Goumballe calls it, "staying focused" as well as his best-ever game. By scoring definition, it is. He'd never scored twice in a college match before. He was named NCAA Digital's National Player of the Week on Friday.
"Outside the goals," Yeagley says of the Michigan performance, "he played well. He physically gave us some attacks. He was able to drive and create some crosses and hold the point.
"It was a comprehensive performance. I'd have said he had a good game if he hadn't scored. For him to get two goals was fantastic. You need that in tougher games."
Describing Goumballe as a forward is too limiting. Over the years, Yeagley has basically used him everywhere except goalkeeper, and even that position might be within his skillset if needed.
"We put him everywhere," Yeagley says. "He never has a secure home because he's too valuable."
@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
And perhaps more.
When you consider the senior forward's accomplishments in the late months over the previous four seasons, they represent a level of sustained excellence that stands out at a tradition-rich program that offers so many examples.
Now that Goumballe has found his point-scoring form – four goals and an assist in the last four matches, including Wednesday night's game-winning goal against Michigan in the Big Ten tourney semifinals – who knows what's next?
In fact, if you've seen what the Hoosiers traditionally do as fall morphs into winter in recent years (four College Cups in the last six seasons including three national runner-up finishes), and in all years (eight national titles, a record 22 College Cup appearances), you do know.
On Sunday, top-seed IU (11-4-4) faces second-seed Penn State (10-3-5) for the Big Ten tourney championship at Bill Armstrong Stadium. It is the Hoosiers' record seventh-straight conference tournament championship appearance.
Goumballe figures to be a catalyst, which is what you'd expect from a three-time all-Big Ten academic standout who scored the NCAA tourney quarterfinal match winner over UNC Greensboro in 2022, an NCAA tourney match-winning goal over Marquette and a huge NCAA quarterfinal goal against Seton Hall, both in 2021.
No other college soccer player in America can match his 103 career matches played.
"Pressure is a privilege," he says, "and I take it well."
Before his recent surge, Goumballe had been locked in a team-wide scoring slump as part of a 3-3-4 start that threatened to jeopardize IU's 36-year NCAA tourney streak. He had totaled just one assist and no goals in the team's first 15 matches.
Eight wins in nine matches later, jeopardy is gone, and Goumballe is a scoring dyno. His four goals and nine points are career highs.
"The last few performances have pushed Maouloune," Yeagley says. "When you have that confidence, it takes you to another level."
For Goumballe, it's all about team.
"We weren't getting results. Our coach kept telling us that if we keep playing the way we're playing, results will come."
They have.
"At this time of the year," Goumballe says, "when the games are most important, we're playing our best soccer. That's good to see."
Goumballe is a big part of IU's surge. His two goals against Michigan, highlighted by the sliding rebound game winner, typify his big-moment reputation.
Yeagley calls it, "unlocking Maouloune." Goumballe calls it, "staying focused" as well as his best-ever game. By scoring definition, it is. He'd never scored twice in a college match before. He was named NCAA Digital's National Player of the Week on Friday.
"Outside the goals," Yeagley says of the Michigan performance, "he played well. He physically gave us some attacks. He was able to drive and create some crosses and hold the point.
"It was a comprehensive performance. I'd have said he had a good game if he hadn't scored. For him to get two goals was fantastic. You need that in tougher games."
Describing Goumballe as a forward is too limiting. Over the years, Yeagley has basically used him everywhere except goalkeeper, and even that position might be within his skillset if needed.
"We put him everywhere," Yeagley says. "He never has a secure home because he's too valuable."
@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
Forward
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