Game Recap and Takeaways:
The 14th ranked Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Soccer Program dominated Division III Hanover College on Friday night, winning by a score of 8-0. It was Senior Night for the Hoosiers, so fireworks certainly were to be expected, and they couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate than dropping 8 goals.
Three of those goals came from Palmer Ault, who now has 14 total goals on the season and has potential the lead the nation in goals come season’s end. Michael Nesci, Seth Stewart, Colton Swan, and Luka Bezerra (2) also worked their way onto the score sheet on Friday.
In total, 23 players played for the Hoosiers, an absurd number for a soccer game and only a number possible in the realms of American college soccer specifically. As such, many younger players and depth pieces received valuable minutes in a chance to make their mark at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
The Hoosiers pumped 24 total shots at Hanover with 14 landing on target, while Hanover generated just 4 total shots with 0 of which hitting the target. This match was complete domination from the Hoosiers and one that could give the squad some added confidence entering an important stretch of the season. Big Ten play is in the home stretch and the College Cup Playoffs are looming large. The Hoosiers will need to be sharp, and games like these can assist in doing just that.
The Hoosiers shared a nice shoutout for the team’s seniors on X. Check it out below:
Hoosiers Player of the Match:
Once again, the player winning this award is Palmer Ault. I’m sorry if this has become boring, or if the “Lebron Effect” is in full speed ahead mode here, but Ault is simply that good. He has a chance to win the MAC Hermann Trophy, the Heisman Trophy equivalent of college soccer. He would become the 8th Hoosier to do so in Indiana’s storied history. Though I am sure if you ask Palmer, he would prefer a 9th star on Indiana’s crest. Let’s hope we see the best of both worlds come season’s end in 2025.
Other IU Soccer Reads:
–IU Men’s Soccer Season Preview