Game Recap and Takeaways:
The 11th ranked Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Soccer Program finished up a strong win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday by a score of 4-2. Historically, the Hoosiers have absolutely dominated this matchup, as they own an overall record of 49 wins, 6 losses, and 5 ties against the Buckeyes. If this stat was emblematic at all of what’s to come in this matchup, it certainly proved to be true.
This matchup was filled with high octane moments as both sides peppered shots at the opposing keepers. There were 37 total shots in the game – 37! The Hoosiers generated 20 (with 10 on target) while the Buckeyes generated 17 (with 6 on target). As a soccer fan myself who watches a significant number of games across the world’s leagues every week, this is the most collective shot total I’ve seen in a very, very long time.
Fortunately for the Hoosiers, the chaotic, high offense nature of this game ended positively as they came out on top. It wasn’t for lack of nerves, however, as the Hoosiers again fell into a deficit, trailing 2-1 early in the 2nd half. However, we’ve spoken at length at how these Hoosiers are the comeback kids, and Friday was no different. The Hoosiers marched back, took the lead, and never looked back. This comeback marks (per iuhoosiers.com) Indiana’s fifth comeback victory this season. If you count instances where the Hoosiers came back and drew the match, this figure rises as well.
All in all, this match again shows the resilience of this Hoosiers team. There have been matches over the past handful of games where the Hoosiers were not at their best and were handed poor losses. However, we have also seen during many matches this season (including this one) that the Hoosiers don’t give up amidst adversity. If we zoom out and view these comeback games as a microcosm for the season, I have no doubt that the Hoosiers will be able to break out of this small slump they’ve faced and come out on top – just like they did on Friday.
The Hoosiers now sit in 5th in the Big Ten Men’s Soccer standings, behind Washington, Maryland, Rutgers, and UCLA. Their overall record is 8-3-1 with a Big Ten record of 3-3-0. No doubt, the Hoosiers will be looking to build on this performance against Ohio State as the season approaches the home stretch. If this Hoosier team reaches its ceiling, we could absolutely be adding a 9th star to the Indiana crest.
Hoosiers Player of the Match:
This game, we have an easy pick. Palmer Ault wins our Hoosiers Player of the Match (again). He is simply too good, folks. Ault drove play like no other player on the pitch on Friday, notching two assists and scoring the game winning goal for the Hoosiers. This game winning goal was also Ault’s 30th career goal, a major milestone for the striker from Noblesville, Indiana.
Ault continues to prove time and time again that he is one of the best players in the country. Look for him to continue his hot streak in leading the Hoosiers to victory as they take on the University of Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday, 10/14 at 7:00 PM ET.
Other IU Soccer Reads:
–IU Men’s Soccer Season Preview