IU Men's Soccer News and Notes

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@BostonSportsBSJ: Revolution to meet with prospect Justin Rennicks this month http://dlvr.it/Qt8HDl

@TopDrawerSoccer: Sasho Cirovski provides an update on the move to a two-semester schedule. https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/key-date-ahead-for-college-soccer-calendar_aid45601

[Aaron 4,265]

Not IU related but Ken Lola resigns at Louisville with no other job in place which is huge. Despite the slime at Louisville there is no way it is NCAA violations as college soccer is not big enough to commit NCAA violations (trust me no payments funnel illegally to athletes outside of football and basketball and I know this beyond a doubt from some previous work I have done with an Olympic sport at a local university).

Either Louisville wants to clean house of everyone after all the scandal in their department and Lola is a victim, he has some personal transgression or college soccer just isn't big enough and he wants to coach elsewhere. Either way this is huge news as Louisville was pretty much a nothing before him and is now one of the elite soccer programs in the country. In some ways he is the modern day Jerry Yeagley without a national title and as a result of him have maybe the best on campus stadium in college soccer was built for the Cardinals.

Very interested if they can find someone else good given where the program is now at and not miss a beat like IU soccer or like IU basketball they struggle once Bob Knight left. Either way this is huge news and completely unexpected and would love to know why he left.  

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@travismclark: Names I've heard linked to the GA class: 

Siad Haji (VCU)
Frankie Amaya (UCLA)
John Nelson (UNC)
JJ Williams (Kentucky)
Dayne St. Clair (UMD)
Griff Dorsey (Indiana)
Giuseppe Barone (Michigan St)

[Aaron 4,265]

Former IU player John Michael Hayden (I remember him playing) has taken Lola's spot at Louisville who he worked under as an assistant. Congrats to him but thought they would go higher profile. 

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@EdwardKoton15: Per source: As of now, #USMNT U-20 Concacaf Champion Justin Rennicks doesn’t have any sort of deal with #NERevs. Things can change, but for now he’s set to come back to #iums for junior year. He’s heading to national team camp in Sarasota on January 4th.

[Aaron 4,265]

2 minutes ago, ccgeneral said:

@EdwardKoton15: Per source: As of now, #USMNT U-20 Concacaf Champion Justin Rennicks doesn’t have any sort of deal with #NERevs. Things can change, but for now he’s set to come back to #iums for junior year. He’s heading to national team camp in Sarasota on January 4th.

I was about to post that. I am not counting on Rennicks coming back but to have an Ambien player (as Rick Venturi calls it in reference to the Colts) up top at forward with all the changes coming this year would be huge and possibly worth a couple extra wins.

[Aaron 4,265]

This isn't totally related to the offseason but I think I found a good comparison to why I think the soccer team will stay at the top for a while.

The comparison is just upstate in Notre Dame Women's Basketball. They had an elite run in the 90's and got a championship. Than for most of the 2000's recruiting fell off somewhat and they always made the tourney but never won the conference and kept ceiling out in the Sweet 16. Than finally recruiting picked back up in the late 2000's with top recruits Skylar Diggins and Devreaux Peters in a breakthrough class. This class never won it all and kept getting knocked off in Final Four by Brittany Griner at Baylor and different UConn teams. However, it permanently picked up recruiting the last 8 years with other elite recruits like Natalie Achonwa, Jewell Lloyd and Kayla McBride among many others. They kept knocking at the door with final fours and conference titles but could not get past UConn. Finally after enough knocking at the door with elite talent they got their title last year. Eventually with top talent if you knock at the door enough you will breakthrough as they did.

With IU we were elite but then recruiting fell of somewhat for a decade and we kept ceiling out in the Sweet 16. Enter the Justin Rennicks and Griffin Dorsey class that finally has brought us back the last 2 years. Unfortunately, this first top class in a while never got a title but like Notre Dame a lot more 5* recruits have come since (Jack Griffith for one and another in the fold next year) and as a result I think we can keep knocking at the door. Like ND with hopefully higher seeds and much better talent moving forward we give ourselves a better chance to break through fairly soon (and in soccer there is no UConn juggernaut in our way) and constantly win conference titles and get to Final Fours again as we have last couple years.   

The only difference in these comparison is Muffet McGraw has been at ND for the elite 90's, Mediocre 2000's and Elite 2010's unlike IU who had to change coaches but I still like the comparison and am hoping/thinking that the second part plays out as well as first part has.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Dorsey, Muse and Rennicks called up for camp. U20 World Cup runs from May 23-June 15.

@RamosTab: New Year = New Opportunity! ... U20 @ussoccer_ynt begins Road to U20 World Cup today with 14 players who did not participate in the @concacaf Championship ... Camp is in FL through Jan 13th ... Assistants @onamazi @TMeola1 @FKlopas

[KB0 827]

Dorsey signs his GA deal.

I think Dorsey has a lot to offer in 1v1 scenarios, but his final ball needs some work. He'll get paid to figure it out next year at least. 

Bringing Rennicks and Muse back would be massive. Don't bank on seeing either one at Armstrong next year, but you never know.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

 @travismclark ranks Trey Muse as second best HGP candidate in college. 

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@MLSTransfers: Source: No movement on US U-20 player Justin Rennicks as of right now. Revs still have no deal on the table. Frankfurt, Celtic, Fulham all monitoring situation.

[Aaron 4,265]

Looking over other teams for early departures it looks like Dane St Clair Maryland's stud all everything goalie and emotional leader is leaving early for the Pro's. That means the 3 best goalies in the Big Ten are gone with Jimmy Hague graduating MSU and Muse reportedly leaving us. Also UK stud forward JJ Williams is departing who was the reason UK suddenly became elite this year and who Gutman beat out for Hermann trophy so that's big.  

Other top players I recognize that are leaving but have less impact on IU are Notre Dame mid Tommy McCabe, UNC defender John Nelson and Akron forward Marcel Zajac. The list is extensive but those are the players I am familiar with having played IU or been in College Cup.

In other words everyone loses top players early and has to replenish talent.   

[Aaron 4,265]

Looks like Panchot got a contract with the USL team in North Carolina. Means he'll be back in Indiana to play Indy 11 on May 4.  

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@IndianaMSOC: NEWS ➡️ Indiana's Jack Maher Invited to #USMNT U-23 Camp in Spain.

Jack is the only current college player invited to the camp, joining 22 professionals!

 https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2019/3/19/mens-soccer-indianas-maher-called-up-to-usmnt-u-23-camp.aspx

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,035]

The Indiana men's soccer team nabbed four spots on the 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's All-North Region teams, the publication announced on Monday afternoon. 
 
Redshirt junior Spencer Glass, sophomore Jack Maher, and freshman Aidan Morris were all selected to the first team, while freshman Joshua Penn was named to the third team. 

SPENCER GLASS
First Team All-North Region
A second team All-Big Ten selection, Glass proved to be a dynamic player out of the back third of the Hoosier attack. He started all 22 matches and totaled 10 points for Indiana this season. He tallied three goals, including a match-winner against Michigan, the eighth-fastest goal to open a game in program history against Evansville, and a goal against Big Ten-foe Penn State. Glass was also an integral part of the Indiana defensive back line that surrendered 16 goals in 22 matches during the season. The Fort Wayne native served as the 2019 team captain and was selected to the All-Big Ten Tournament Team. 

JACK MAHER
First Team All-North Region
Maher, a unanimous first team All-Big Ten honoree, anchored the Indiana defense with 22 starts at centerback. Along with Glass, Maher paved the way for a Hoosier defense that yielded 16 goals in 22 matches. Indiana allowed only one goal in five postseason matches during the '19 season. Maher tallied 10 points (three goals, four assists) for the Hoosiers and netted two game-winning tallies this season, a golden goal against UCLA and a 28th minute goal from the spot at Michigan State. He was twice named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week and collected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 4 and Nov. 5. Maher also earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Big Ten Tournament, and All-Big Ten Tournament Team laurels throughout the postseason. 
 
AIDAN MORRIS
First Team All-North Region
Morris, the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, registered a team-best eight assists in his debut season in the Cream and Crimson. He added two goals to give him 12 points for the year, the third-highest figure for IU. He recorded a team-best 10 of his 12 points in conference play. He was twice named to the TDS Team of the Week and added two Big Ten Offensive Player of Week laurels. Morris also collected first team All-Big Ten, All-Big Ten Freshman Team, and All-Big Ten Tournament Team nods during the season. 
 
JOSHUA PENN
Third Team All-North Region
Penn tallied 14 points for the Hoosiers in his inaugural season in Bloomington, the second-most on the team. He finished second among team leaders in goals (six) and tied for the team lead with three game-winner goals. Penn notched six multi-point games during the season, including a brace against Ohio State. He notched back-to-back game-winning goals against Sacramento State and Northwestern. Penn was selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. 
 
2019 ALL-NORTH REGION FIRST TEAM
F – Bar Hazut, So., Illinois-Chicago
F – Jorge Gonzalez, Sr., Southern Illinois
F – Deri Corfe, Sr., Wright State
MF – Jesus Perez, Sr., Illinois-Chicago
MF – Aidan Morris, Fr., Indiana
MF – Aaron Molloy, Sr., Penn State 
MF – Jack Hallahan, Sr., Michigan
D – Jack Maher, So., Indiana
D – Spencer Glass, R-Jr., Indiana
D – Johannes Bergmann, Sr., Maryland
GK – Anthony Mwebia, Sr., Bowling Green
 
2019 ALL-NORTH REGION SECOND TEAM
F – David Egbo, Jr., Akron
F – Evan Conway, Sr., Wisconsin-Milwaukee
F – Liam Butts, Fr., Penn State
MF – Vuk Latinovich, Sr., Wright State
MF – Jackson Dietrich, Sr., Wright State
MF – Eli Crognale, Sr., Maryland
D – Achille Robin, Jr., Bowling Green
D – Jack Ragen, Jr., Michigan
D – Jacob Graiber, Jr., Illinois-Chicago
D – Samuel Biek, Sr., Western Michigan
GK – Niklas Neumann, Fr., Maryland
 
2019 ALL-NORTH REGION THIRD TEAM
F – Gabriel Pewu, Sr., Cleveland State
F – Joshua Penn, Fr., Indiana
F – Matt Moderwell, Sr., Northwestern
F – Eric Matzelevich, Jr., Maryland
MF – Marc Ybarra, Jr., Michigan
MF – Noah Jensen, Jr., Oakland
MF – Alex Greive, Jr., Northern Kentucky
D – Carlo Ritaccio, So., Akron
D – Brandon Hackenberg, R-Jr., Penn State
D – Sebastian Garcia-Herreros, Sr., West Virginia
GK – Sullivan Lauderdale, Jr., Oakland 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,035]

Morris Named TDS Best Freshman, Maher Third Team All-America

Indiana men's soccer racked up four honors from Top Drawer Soccer, the publication announced on Monday afternoon. Freshman Aidan Morris claimed Top Drawer Soccer Freshman of the Year, while also collecting First Team TDS Freshman Best XI. Sophomore Jack Maher was named to the All-America Third Team. A pair of freshmen in Victor Bezerra and Joshua Penn were selected to the Freshman Best XI Second Team. 

JACK MAHER
Third Team All-American 
Maher, a 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's Second Team All-American, has compiled United Soccer Coaches All-North Region, a unanimous first team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Big Ten Tournament, and All-Big Ten Tournament Team laurels this postseason. Maher anchored the Indiana defense with 22 starts along the defensive back line. The Hoosiers conceded only 16 goals in 22 matches and only one goal in five postseason matches during the '19 season. Maher tallied 10 points (three goals, four assists) for the Hoosiers and netted two game-winning tallies this season, a golden goal against UCLA and a 28th minute goal from the spot at Michigan State.
 
AIDAN MORRIS
First Team Freshman Best XI, Freshman of the Year
Morris, a 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's Third Team All-American, added First Team All-North Region honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, All-Big Ten Freshman Team, and All-Big Ten Tournament Team honors in his inaugural season in the Cream and Crimson. He registered a team-best eight assists and added two goals to give him 12 points for the year, the third-highest figure for IU. He recorded a team-best 10 of his 12 points in conference play. He was twice named to the TDS Team of the Week and added two Big Ten Offensive Player of Week laurels. 
 
VICTOR BEZERRA
Second Team Freshman Best XI
Bezerra led the Hoosiers with 19 points (eight goals, three assists) during his first season in Bloomington. He registered a team-best eight tallies, including the program's third NCAA postseason hat trick in a 3-0 Indiana victory over Kentucky in the second round. He also secured a brace in a 5-1 Hoosier victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Three of his eight goals scored this season resulted in game winners. 


JOSHUA PENN
Second Team Freshman Best XI
Penn, a 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's Third Team All-North Region addition, tallied 14 points for the Hoosiers in his debut season in Bloomington, the second-most on the team. He finished second among team leaders in goals (six) and tied for the team lead with three game-winner goals. Penn notched six multi-point games during the season, including a brace against Ohio State. He notched back-to-back game-winning goals against Sacramento State and Northwestern. Penn was selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
 
Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year
Joe Bell, Virginia
 
Top Drawer Soccer Freshman of the Year
Aidan Morris, Indiana
 
Top Drawer Soccer Coach of the Year
Brian Wiese, Georgetown

2019 Top Drawer Soccer Best XI First Team
F – Cal Jennings, UCF
F – Robbie Robinson, Clemson
F – Miguel Berry, San Diego
MF – Joe Bell, Virginia
MF – Blake Bodily, Washington
MF – Aaron Molloy, Penn State
MF – Bruno Lapa, Wake Forest
D – Dylan Nealis, Georgetown
D – Eddie Munjoma, SMU
D – Henry Kessler, Virginia
GK – Colin Shutler, Virginia
 
2019 Top Drawer Soccer Best XI Second Team
F – Daryl Dike, Virginia
F – Rodney Michael, UC Santa Barbara
F – Matthew Bentley, Missouri State
MF – Jacob Montes, Georgetown
MF – Ryan Raposo, Syracuse
MF – Gabriel Costa, SMU
MF – Yoni Sorokin, UCF
D – Ethan Bartlow, Washington
D – Yanis Leerman, UCF
D – Josh Bauer, New Hampshire
GK – Remi Prieur, St. Mary's
 
2019 Top Drawer Soccer Best XI Third Team
F – Thibault Jacquel, Campbell
F – Milan Iloski, UCLA
F – Anders Engebretsen, St. Mary's
MF – Sean Zawadzki, Georgetown 
MF – Manuel Ferriol, James Madison
MF – Jesus Perez, UIC
MF – David Loera, NC State
D – Jack Maher, Indiana
D – Tanner Beason, Stanford
D – Noah Billingsley, UC Santa Barbara
D – Andrew Thomas, Stanford
 
2019 Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI First Team
F – Milo Yosef, Marshall
F – Wilmer Cabrera Jr, Butler
F – Ousseni Bouda, Stanford
MF – Aidan Morris, Indiana
MF – Philip Mayaka, Clemson
MF – Daniel Pereira, Virginia Tech
MF – Noel Caliskan, Loyola Marymount
D – Kipp Keller, Saint Louis
D – Andreas Ueland, Virginia
D – Moses Mensah, Campbell
GK – Tomas Romero, Georgetown
 
2019 Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI Second Team
F – Liam Butts, Penn State
F – Reed Berry, Oral Roberts
F – Victor Bezerra, Indiana
MF – Jacobo Reyes, Portland
MF – Joshua Penn, Indiana
MF – Christian Soto, Washington
MF – Finn Ballard McBride, UC Santa Barbara
D – Nico Benalcazar, Wake Forest
D – Daniel Wu, Georgetown
D – Keegan Hughes, Stanford
GK – Sam Fowler, Washington
 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,035]

Simon Waever has been selected No. 51 overall in the #MLSSuperDraft by @TorontoFC.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,035]

Spring schedule.  First game against Loyola Chicago on Feb. 22 at Grand Park in Westfield at 2:00.

https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2020/2/13/indiana-mens-soccer-announces-spring-slate.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2crJHnN2X_brP7z-Luw3pubx4zCBfbrwDFn274nqWD1yeEnJ0ta_cnbAI

[Aaron 4,265]

Normally I would like all the Indy games (4) living here but I am busy during at least 3 of the 4. Good thing it is exhibition and games don't count (of course that could change quickly if the expanded season gets approved but then games would be in Bloomington and not Indy then). 

[JerryYeagley23 3,122]

https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2020/4/16/mens-soccer-title-aspirations-remain-for-indiana-soccer.aspx

 

Good read with some great quotes by Todd about the team. This is the mentality of an elite program.