Game Recap and Takeaways:
The #3 ranked Indiana Hoosiers have done it again, folks, beating the 15th ranked Saint Louis University Billikens 1-0 on Wednesday night at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers are now undefeated against three ranked teams so far this season through five total games. They’ve won two (including this game against the Billikens) and drew one. In total, the Hoosiers boast one of the best records in the entire nation at 4 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw.
The Hoosiers may have a #3 next to their name, but time and time again this season they are proving that they’re the best team in the country. The scoring opened up early this game as Collins Oduro pocketed a shot from outside of the box in the 7th minute to put the Hoosiers up 1-0. That is all the Hoosiers needed as their unbelievably tight and sound team defense the rest of the way shut the door on any Billiken attacks that came their way.
I mentioned in previous game recaps – specifically the first game of the year against Clemson – that the Hoosiers looked sloppy in their play. Coach Todd Yeagley has quickly fixed this, however, as Indiana is now a full-on force to be reckoned with. Passes are now crisp and tight, tackles are smooth and intelligent, and shot attempts are calculated with risk properly weighed. It took maybe two games – the first two games of the season where the Hoosiers drew and won, respectively, mind you – for the Hoosiers to fix their problems.
Now, they are bullying highly ranked teams and proving that this is one of the best Hoosiers teams in recent memory. The schedule does not get any easier, however, as the Hoosiers face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this Sunday, September 7 on the ACC Network. Games against the Fighting Irish are always filled with fireworks, and Sunday’s match should be no different.
As an aside, this win was Coach Todd Yeagley’s 60th career win against a ranked opponent. This is a huge testament to how the Indiana Hoosiers prepare for each game and how successful the program has been in recent years. Coach Yeagley has brought and sustained immense success to Bloomington, Indiana. While reaching 60 career ranked wins for Yeagley is not a surprise, per se, it is an incredible accomplishment for the Hoosiers’ legendary head coach.
Hoosiers Player(s) of the Match:
I’m doing a tie today between two players. One being forward Collins Oduro, whose fabulous goal – his first of the year – could be the start of something greater. He is always pressuring the opposing back line and is incredibly talented. More goals will come and it’s encouraging that he was able to convert against a tough team like the Billikens. Oduro is a gigantic part to this Hoosiers team and if he gets even hotter than he is currently, the Hoosiers might truly be unstoppable.
The second player in my tie is center back Breckin Minzey. Minzey was absolutely everywhere on defense against Saint Louis. Every time an opposing attack came through, Minzey was there to break it up, every time a cross was whipped in, Minzey cleared it away, and every time the Hoosiers needed a play, Minzey made it. To be fair, the entire Hoosiers back line was phenomenal on Wednesday, but Minzey shined brightest and was a major reason to Indiana maintaining the clean sheet.
Other IU Soccer Reads:
–IU Men’s Soccer Season Preview