IU Men's Soccer News and Notes

[Hoosierfan1901]

Big 10 title is pretty much out of the picture unless something miracle happens 

[Aaron]

Took our great start and threw it straight in the garbage to begin conference play. It's as if the team thinks they can give a half-hearted effort because they are in the top five. Right now, they are the hunted and appear to be a squad that thinks they can win simply by showing up and giving minimal effort, which is obviously not the case.

That might be the worst offensive performance I have seen in my 30 years of watching, and I am being dead serious. MSU's goal was a bit unlucky, but they certainly had enough chances and deserved to put one home. With that said, I thought the backline was mostly fine, and this result rests solely on an attack that looked completely dead.

Once October hits, they will probably catch fire as they always do. However, I thought this slow start issue was fixed after the non-conference, but it has just hit to begin Big Ten play instead. Computers still seem to love IU, and a mediocre conference season with a great RPI can still get you a really solid NCAA seed, as happened in 2014 and 2016.

With all that said, the team better do some soul searching and give 100% effort every night, which has been lacking recently outside of the second half of PSU. Maryland still awaits later on, as does a solid Ohio State and UCLA squad, not to mention a trip to Washington. Those are all winnable if the Hoosiers we saw pre-league play start showing up again. Otherwise, it could be a rough conference slate if this performance from the first three Big Ten matches continues. 

We can definitely drop the 2017 and 2018 comparisons for good. This goes even if Indiana catches fire again going forward.

[Aaron]

4 minutes ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Big 10 title is pretty much out of the picture unless something miracle happens 

Not quite. With 11 teams now and 10 games in Big Ten play, it is still too early to say that. If they catch fire and win out, they have an excellent chance.

Doesn't look likely right now. However, said the same thing the last couple of seasons in the same position, and a perfect October won them the league. The difference is that this time, the non-conference was so good, another near-perfect October means a much better NCAA seed with multiple home games, if not all three in Bloomington, before the College Cup potentially.

With all that said, I didn't see these struggles coming, and it's really disheartening to say the least. Need the calendar to hit October, where squad is always perfect.

[Dave from Dayton]

1 hour ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Terrible effort from our guys tonight. Credit to MSU defense. They outworked us in this one. 2 Ls this early in conference less than ideal.


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Spot on synopsis.  IU seemed not really interested in taking it to the opponent.  Just sat back hoping something would break.  Comon...!!

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Friday night at 8:00 IU men (6-2-1) (1-2-0) host UCLA (2-3-2) (2-0-0).  Televised on basic BTN.  They better come out with some fire in the belly after that anemic performance in East Lansing.  

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[Dave from Dayton]

TONIGHT! 

IU men's soccer Friday night (8 ET) on BTN at home against visitor UCLA.  

Have to bring the heat for a change.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Men debuting black uniforms tonight.

https://x.com/i/status/1971727050756214910

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

6' |   Hoosiers a quick 1-0 lead on a Palmer Ault goal.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Ault goal with assist from Murador and Barger.

https://x.com/i/status/1971730750245306721

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Spartans just beat the Wolverines 1-0 in Ann Arbor

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

16' |  Murador makes it 2-0 Hoosiers.  Definitely came out playing aggressive soccer tonight.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

19' |    Easton Bogard makes it 3-0.  Hoosiers on fire tonight.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Here's Murador's first career IU goal.

https://x.com/i/status/1971733831373017254

[Hoosierfan1901]

2 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

19' |    Easton Bogard makes it 3-0.  Hoosiers on fire tonight.

Might be the black jerseys

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Bogard's goal

https://x.com/i/status/1971734255634993520

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Fame is fleeting.  UCLA just scored so it's a 3-1 IU lead.

[LamarCheeks]

4 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Bogard's goal

https://x.com/i/status/1971734255634993520

Glad to have the tally, but geeze -- that keeper's got to gather that ball. That was brutal. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

3-1 Hoosier lead at the break.  Hoosiers 14 shots, 5 on goal, 4 corners.  UCLA 5-1-2.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

UCLA much more aggressive to start the 2nd half and just made it a 3-2 match.

[Brass Cannon]

This team might pull out the win but absolutely no killer instinct