Game Recap and Takeaways:
The 7th ranked Indiana Hoosiers men’s soccer program continues its hot start, beating #14 Oregon State on Sunday 2-0. This is one of Indiana’s best starts in program history (3 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw), though with the success Indiana has had over the decades, it is tied with many other hot starts from some very strong teams.
This team is no different, however, and projects to be one of the best Hoosiers teams in recent memory. This team is deep, hungry, extremely talented, and filled with fight to give maximum effort for a full 90 minutes. The win against Oregon State exemplifies that perfectly. For the past several games to start the season, Indiana embodied the “comeback kids” mindset. For better or for worse, it worked out. It’s not how you’d like every game to go, but it’s always a plus regardless when you do come back and win.
Against Oregon State, however, Indiana took hold of the game from the start and didn’t let up, showing the country that they can win when they’re behind and dominate from the start. No doubt, this put the country on notice if they weren’t already that this Hoosiers team is a true threat for a National Championship.
Indiana threatened from the beginning until a handball was called against the Beavers inside the box. Star Hoosier Palmer Ault proceeded to convert on the penalty kick about 17 minutes into the game to make it 1-0 Hoosiers.
Then, to begin the 2nd half, the Hoosiers continued to pressure the Oregon State back line. This led to a wonderful run by Michael Nesci who whipped a cross in to Palmer Ault’s flying leg to double Indiana’s lead to 2-0.
The Hoosiers would hold on from that point amidst Oregon State pressure and finish the game by the same score.
Hoosiers Player of the Match:
Without a doubt, Palmer Ault. The Hoosiers’ best player continues to play like the Hoosiers’ best player. When that happens, it’s hard to stop any team. Indiana has an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent, but Palmer Ault is the cream of the crop. His 2 goals on Sunday now give him 4 total goals on the year with 1 assist in just 4 games. Ault is one of the best players in the country and is on pace to win a bevy of national awards if his play keeps up.
Other IU Soccer Reads:
–IU Men’s Soccer Season Preview