Bogard’s Goal Holds up as Indiana Edges Maryland to Reach Big Ten Final

Indiana fought hard to make their one goal hold up.

Easton Bogard scored early in the second half, and the Hoosiers held off Maryland for a 1-0 win Wednesday night at Bill Armstrong Stadium to advance to the Big Ten Tournament final.

Alex Barger assisted on the goal, while Michal Mroz made three saves. Indiana had several chances to extend its lead, but an overturned goal, a shot off the post and some big stops from Maryland goalkeeper Laurin Mack kept the Hoosiers from adding another.

Indiana Settles In

Weather pushed the scheduled 6 p.m. kickoff back to 7:30 and again back to 8:15. Heavy rain left the field soaked, with players slipping and passes running long throughout the opening half.

Indiana had trouble keeping the ball early. Maryland pressured the Hoosiers around midfield, not allowing for the regular sit and wait approach from Indianas defense. The Terps also took advantage of loose passes to create fast opportunities.

In the 12th minute, Rodrigo Neri picked off a pass from Barger and took on Nick McHenry and Josh Maher before getting a shot away. Mroz stopped the low attempt to keep the game scoreless.

The Hoosiers started putting more together as the half went on.

Stephane Njike repeatedly beat defenders down the left side, though a few of his runs ended with passes that flew too far on the wet ground. Nolan Kinsella also had an early opportunity after a give and go with Charlie Heuer, but couldn’t connect on the sliding finish.

Indiana’s best chance came in the 29th minute.

Oliver Moller-Jensen worked through back-to-back give and goes before Bogard found him in front of goal with a backheel. Moller-Jensen put his shot on frame, but Mack made the big save.

Bogard and Njike had consecutive shots blocked in the 35th minute, and Michael Adu-Gyamfi sent an attempt just wide later in the half.

Indiana went into halftime with a 7-3 advantage in shots, but neither team had found the net.

Bogard Puts Indiana Ahead

The Hoosiers didn’t have to wait much longer.

Barger delivered a corner early in the second half, and the ball bounces in the air before Bogard found it. He finished with his left foot in the 47th minute to give Indiana a 1-0 lead.

Indiana thought it had a chance to add another when Bogard went down in the box in the 55th minute. The play drew a loud reaction from the crowd and went to VAR, but no penalty was awarded.

A few minutes later, Kinsella wanted to double the lead.

Barger sent a free kick into the box, Bogard headed it toward Kinsella and the wing-back knocked it home. The finish was disallowed, leaving Indiana ahead by one, and erupting the crowd again.

The Hoosiers kept creating chances.

In the 66th minute, Njike used the outside of his foot to slip a pass through defenders to Heuer near goal. Heuer faked his first shot, sending a defender sliding past him, but Mack stopped his following attempt. Moller-Jensen got to the rebound and fired another shot that Mack saved as well.

Heuer came even closer a few minutes later.

Kinsella stole the ball and carried it forward before finding Heuer on the left. Heuer’s left-footed shot went across goal, struck the right post and bounced out.

McHenry followed with a header on frame in the 73rd minute, but Mack made another save.

Mroz Helps Close

Maryland still had time to find an equalizer.

Farouk Cisse got through for a one-on-one chance in the 70th minute, but Mroz stopped his shot to keep Indiana in front.

The Terrapins pushed forward late, forcing the Hoosiers to defend several corners. Alex Matthews helped slow things down with a sliding steal near the sideline in the closing minutes, winning the ball and keeping possession.

Mroz had another big stop to make.

Henry Bernstein hit a hard shot from outside the box in the 89th minute, and Mroz dove to grab it. Shortly after, Said El Eyssami got a shot away following a Maryland corner, but Indiana blocked the attempt near goal.

The Hoosiers finished with an 18-8 advantage in shots and seven shots on goal to Maryland’s four.

Indiana never found a second goal, but kept Maryland from getting its first. Bogard’s finish was enough to send the Hoosiers to the Big Ten Tournament final.