IU Men's Soccer News and Notes

[Aaron 4,669]

This team has two versions of itself. One that plays at home and outside of conference play that looks like a national contender, and one that plays on the road in the Big Ten that looks totally inept. 

With all the top wins in the preconference, RPI only fell to 8. The team is going to the NCAA Tournament as a seeded team, and if they can hold on to the top 8, that would be key for the second guaranteed home game. 2014 has struck again in every way; league play is a mess, but non-conference is elite for a good NCAA seed. 

Tonight may have been the Hoosiers' worst effort this season across the board. You still have no goalie who is halfway decent or a competent defense. The normally elite offense had a Michigan State night.

Team needs a win and UCLA loss or tie just to make the Big Ten Tourney, but given the Bruins are playing at Washington, who will be going for a conference title, and the Hoosiers are back at home against mediocre Rutgers, where they thrive, this is well within reach.

Ironically, a top-four NCAA seed is not completely out of the question if you can qualify for the Big Ten Tourney and beat Maryland or Washington in a rematch in the first conference tourney game. Quite frankly, despite the atmosphere, I'd rather rematch Maryland and their much better RPI without the cross-country trip. Terps clinch Big Ten with a win or tie, or Huskie loss or tie.

The goal right now, though, is to make the Big Ten Tourney and hold on to the top-eight spot for the NCAA's. 

[Aaron 4,669]

17 minutes ago, BtownStrength said:

At the time, it was absolutely deserved. I think we got lucky that most of our big time noncon matches were at Bill Armstrong. Defense travels, and we ain't got it. 

Not really. They beat a top-flight Kentucky and Notre Dame squad on the road, also. For whatever reason, conference road games have been a bugaboo much more than road games overall.

If you can hold on to a top-8 NCAA seed (RPI is exactly 8), the team will play at least two NCAA Tournament games at home against non-Big Ten squads, which has been the sweet spot this fall, and the team has no. 1 non-conference RPI in the nation.

Can't wait to get out of conference play and try their luck against other opponents at home, where the team has been best. As I said, offense could take the team to a College Cup or the defense could end their season in the first round, and both are equally likely given positioning.

Team is 4-3-1 in Quad one, 1-1 in Quad two, 4-1 in Quad three, and 1-0 in Quad four. The resume is actually quite strong, and the committee doesn't look at conference record:

https://rpiupdatemenssoccer.blogspot.com/2025/07/indiana.html

[BtownStrength 1,773]

5 minutes ago, Aaron said:

Not really. They beat a top-flight Kentucky squad on the road, also. For whatever reason, conference road games have been a bugaboo much more than road games overall.

If you can hold on to a top-8 NCAA seed (RPI is exactly 8), the team will play at least two NCAA Tournament games at home against non-Big Ten squads, which has been the sweet spot this fall, and the team has no. 1 non-conference RPI in the nation.

Can't wait to get out of conference play and try their luck against other opponents at home, where the team has been best. As I said, offense could take the team to a College Cup or the defense could end their season in the first round, and both are equally likely given positioning.

Agree that road win at Kentucky was very good. Notre Dame also on the road but they are slightly worse than they have been historically. I am grateful we are looking at another seeded year and hope we can get several at Bill Armstrong. Just beyond frustrated at the Jekyll and Hyde in conference. 

[8bucks 7,670]

Not necessarily IU, but @WayneFleekHoosier did your sons team win state?  Wasn’t sure if he went to Blackhawk but thought he did for some reason. If so, congrats to the family!

[WayneFleekHoosier 52,154]

Not necessarily IU, but [mention=2640]WayneFleekHoosier[/mention] did your sons team win state?  Wasn’t sure if he went to Blackhawk but thought he did for some reason. If so, congrats to the family!

We lost in Regional finals in 2A. We did tie Blackhawk in the regular season. We had a great season. Blackhawk is a very good team. Going to be even more dangerous next season.


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[8bucks 7,670]

On 11/2/2025 at 9:39 PM, WayneFleekHoosier said:

We lost in Regional finals in 2A. We did tie Blackhawk in the regular season. We had a great season. Blackhawk is a very good team. Going to be even more dangerous next season.


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My kids had 2 good teams (1 guys and 1 girls) but faced juggernauts early. Regional finals makes for a fun year. Hopefully next year. Such a fun game.  My daughter’s team won a playoff game this weekend with a golden goal in overtime. She is near the bottom of the pile and even though the win was awesome the joy she shows here is what I enjoyed most. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

Regular season wraps up Friday night at 8:00 in Bloomington hosting Ruger (8-5-3) (3-4-2).  Televised on B1G+.  Current weather forecast looks good.   The game has been placed on non-ticketed status for anyone interested in going.  

Parking may be an issue as both our volleyball team and our women's bball are also hosting events.

 

 

[BtownStrength 1,773]

1 hour ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Regular season wraps up Friday night at 8:00 in Bloomington hosting Ruger (8-5-3) (3-4-2).  Televised on B1G+.  Current weather forecast looks good.   The game has been placed on non-ticketed status for anyone interested in going.  

Parking may be an issue as both our volleyball team and our women's bball are also hosting events.

 

 

Need a win and either a Washington win or tie vs UCLA to move into 4th place and get a BTT bid. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

Men have a 2-0 lead with 10 min. left in the 1st half.  Both goals scored by Colton Swan with assists from Jacopo Fedrizzi. 

https://x.com/i/status/1986966059451084985

https://x.com/i/status/1986969450558448062

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

2-0 Hoosiers lead at the break.  We have 7 shots, 5 on goal and 4 corners.  Ruger 3-1-1.  2 Ruger players assessed yellow cards.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

51' | Palmer Ault makes it 3-0; assist by Charlie Heuer.  Ault's 16th goal of the season.

https://x.com/i/status/1986983117727342626

In a match with B1G tournament implications, UCLA and Washington are tied 1-1.  

[WayneFleekHoosier 52,154]

4-0 Hoosiers! Washington up 2-1. Indiana looking to make B1G tourney as things stand.


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[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

54' |  And just like that it's 4-0 on a goal from Clay Murador.

https://x.com/i/status/1986983807728124005

And Washington just took a 2-1 lead over UCLA which is good news for IU.

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

59' |  Breckin Minzey; assist by Ault and Cristiano Bruletti

https://x.com/i/status/1986985442277720336

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

UCLA takes a 3-2 lead with under 15 min. remaining.

Final in Bloomington 5-0.  Hoosiers 13 shots, 9 on goal, 6 corners.  Ruger 9-1-6.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

UCLA 4-0 with time running out so we will not make the B1G tournament.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

UCLA 4-0 with time running out so we will not make the B1G tournament.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

UCLA 4-0 with time running out so we will not make the B1G tournament.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 94,923]

UCLA 4-0 with time running out so we will not make the B1G tournament.

[Aaron 4,669]

See everyone for the NCAA Tournament. IU will still host at least one game and maybe two, as they are right on the fringe of the top eight. The Big Ten Tourney has zero to do with NCAA seeding.

In general, though, college soccer is not fun to watch right now. The talent drain and basically no defense across the board feels like watching the FIFA Video game instead of real soccer, with the amount of scoring and easy shots. While I love cheering for IU, watching the sport at the college level is painful.

Either the sport needs to listen to the USA Soccer Federation and work with them to take their recommendations to get the top talent again, or fold up shop. Right now product is unbearable, and this is no fault of Indiana. They get the top talent of those making it to college, but that starts pretty far down the rankings.