IU Hoosiers 2023

Probably the first time in history... Three Big Ten games, 0 goals. They need to move that Trine game up to soon to get their MoJo back.

 

Same ol', same ol'. We were somewhat unlucky, but we HAVE TO finish. We had a higher percentage of SOG this time, but we wasted some golden opportunities. Once again, our starting forwards underproduced - 1 shot between Oduro and Bezerra (and it was off target). Henderlong had a nice shot that was just deflected off the post by the GK, but all of his other shots were off target. Mihalic did have 2 SOG, one of which was deflected by the GK off the crossbar.

We moved Bacharach up much more this game than others and he did have two shots on goal, one of which was saved by the GK's head.

Why is it that every GK we face has the game of their life?

 

Probably because of those 8 stars on the uniform.

Speaking of stars, I didn't realize it but IU is now in the longest streak in program history without a national title. Todd's been close several times since 2012, but in Bloomington, men's soccer success if viewed through a much different prism than it is elsewhere. His last name and the 2012 title will buy him a lot of latitude, as will the various College Cup appearances since 2012.

But for some boosters, going over a decade without a national title is grounds for a coaching change.

 

I'm not sure that we boosters are ready for a change. As you mentioned, we've been close - runners-up two out of the last three years (& 3 out of the last 5) and semifinalists or higher in four of the last six cups. In addition, weve won three ouf of the last five B1G tournaments, having been the runner's up in the other two (regular season winners in 3 of the last 5 seasons). That's hardly a poor record. I'm sure almost every coach would be very happy with that kind of record.

And, of course, the landscape has changed now that a coach w/ a big enough wallet can just shop for international semi-pros.

 

Lots of young players on both teams. I expect the Hoosiers will work out their attack soon. The Wolverines also should get better as the year progresses, and (perhaps) this game is a sign of improvement.

 

Basketball??? How 'bout football fans? They are rabid! And they're not happy...

Don't misinterpret my posts - I love my soccer Hoosiers (and their parents). Going to tonight's game against UK. Bourbon may or may not be involved.

 

I'll see you there BigRedFootie... but I'll be rooting on the Wildcats. Both of us need the W tonight. Hopefully, it will be a good match. Enjoy... the match and the bourbon!

 

What is the bourbon of choice? Curious.

 

My top 3...
1). Eagle Rare 10 Year. Harder and harder to find but a great bourbon at an affordable price.
2). Michter's US*1
3). Four Roses (Small Batch or Single Barrel)

I think we could make a new forum... Soccer & Bourbon. What a great pair!!

 

We are a Sazerac/Buffalo Trace shop because of some family affiliation and I'm not much of a bourbon drinker - I leave that up to my wife. That said:
Blantons
Eagle Rare
Sazerac Rye
Bulleit Rye
J.E. Pepper Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

I actually prefer rye, so I also like most Bulleit offerings because of their rye content.

 

Well, the bourbon was good. The match, not so much. We're a little banged up, so the lineup has changed again. Henderlong started up top and had one nice move/shot for a goal early, but was pretty quiet after that. We had lots of opportunities, especially in the second half, but the box was packed w/ UK players and we kept bouncing the ball off of them. Of course, those blocked shots don't show up as SOGs. Sarver was, as always, active and dangerous. He got a lot of crosses in from deep, but we never had anyone on the other end. I could have sworn UK had a handball in the box in the 79th minute, but it was not given. Sarver also banged one off the post in the second half. Oduro had a couple of nice SOGs - I hope he continues to improve.

Defense was interesting. Maher is battling an injury and didn't start. Goumballe started at right back and played very well. I think he is more comfortable there. He was able able to beat his man to the corner on O several times and delivered some good crosses. We also had a cool play on a restart where we isolated Goumballe on a single defender. He was able to turn his defender and put the ball in a dangerous position. Bacharach had a hard time defending Chisholm and just didn't have a great night. He was called for a penalty in the first half when Chisholm turned him. What I saw was a great deal of hand fighting by both parties and then Chisholm stepped on the ball and went down. Wasn't a penatly for me, but it was moot when Harms saved it. Maher came in for Bacharach after that. The UK goal - well it was unpardonable. A throw in bounced to a completely unmarked UK defender at the 18 and he slotted it home.

We dominated the second half for the most part and spent much of the half inside UK's area, but just couldn't stick it in the goal.

<sigh>

Then it was time for bourbon.

 

Finally. We actually scored more than one goal. We needed this one. Sarver had another great game and scored our goals. Boy, does he hustle. He got behind PSU's D and faked Shakes out for a tap in. Then he hit a screamer into the far post from the left side. Sarver also had a PK which Shakes saved with his foot. How did we manage two goals? Two assists from Bacharach, who played in central midfield. I think we've finally found the spot for Bacharach. He's strong, tall, and can create. HIs passing was very precise and probably the reason we dominated in the midfield. MacDonald had his usual busy game. We move him around the field because a) he can run all day and b) he distributes well. He often came to the back line to pick up the ball. We should have had 3 goals by half - we missed two sitters. Gotta capitalize on those opportunities. Speaking of capitalizing, I believe that we are 0 for 1,000 corners this year. We just can't seem to get on the end of those. That needs work.

Defense: Well, we let in another goal that we shouldn't have. It was almost comical. Shakes booted one over the top and it was bouncing toward our box. Maher was shielding Mangione from the ball so that Harms could come out and clear it. However, Harms kicked it backwards over his own head for a perfect assist to Mangione. We also allowed a nice shot from PSU late in the second half which hit the crossbar. IMHO we bunkered way too early and way too much. I'd like to see us play a little more outside of our defensive third when we get a lead.

Oduro, playing in the midfield didn't have much in the way of offense, but he did disrupt PSU's possession with his speed. He made some nice passes, as well. I hope he continues to improve. Goumballe came on as an outside midfielder but didn't have much of an impact. I really believe he is more comfortable at right back. Perhaps he and Bebej could swap positions? Bebej has played in the midfield effectively in the past.

Regardless, now we have a glimmer of hope. We still have a ways to go to insure a spot in the tourney, that's for sure.

 

Well, we had up and downs against OSU. We kind of dominated the first half and Sarver drew another PK, which was slotted home by Maher. We lost two players in the first half to injury, Bacharach (shoulder) and Murador (ankle; more on that later). The second half was different. We played a lacksadaisical 20 minutes coming out of halftime and paid for it w/ an OSU goal. We then tightened things up and started to dominate again later. It finally paid off in a 87th minute goal by Henderlong, assisted by (who else?) Sarver and Maher. We were happy to escape w/ a win.

One of the problems we had was that the center ref didn't have his best game. I saw some of the weirdest calls (and no-calls) I've seen in a while. It kept both teams guessing as to what was going to happen next. Clearly the worst call was against Murador with about 12 minutes left in the first half. He got clocked by an OSU defender while dribbling the ball and for his troubles was called for the foul. We (the fans and the B1G+ announcers) were flabbergasted by that call. Mirador eventually left the field on crutches.

 

As Chronic Hoosier is known to say, "It's game day, b!tches!" And a big game it is.

 

Ugh. Once again, we were unable to finish. I credit NU for a lot of that. They know what we do - try to attack down the outside and then cross it, so they put a lot of bodies in the way. I don't know how many shots were blocked, but it was a lot. We're still poor in the air, especially on corners. We were 0-7 on corners again. Mihalic had a great chance, but it was with his left foot and he shot it wide. Oduro was pretty much a non-factor. Murador is incredibly fast, but his technical skills need to be improved. Bacharach was back in the lineup, but he wasn't able to assert himself in the midfield the way he did earlier. None of his shots were on goal.

On a positive note, Sarver had his usual dangerous game and the center backs played pretty well.

As long as we continue to lose in the air, we'll be chasing most games - just like last night. We still have a slight chance of sharing the title, but only if both NU and PSU tie or lose.

 

Yes, home field advantage is VERY important. I'm concerned that there won't be many fans at the game. The weather and an *exhibition* basketball game are taking over the campus (esp. parking), and we know which sport has the upper hand here in Hoosierville.

 

Apologies. I think it wasn't working for the B-ball game, either. We pretty much dominated, altho the center ref was trying his hardest to bring Rutgers back. He had a very, very bad game. We didn't let him take us down and took care of business. A good 4-1 win got us a share of the B1G title! Owing to the NU loss and PSU tie, we have the #1 seed for the tourney. Who would have thought that back when we shared the cellar w/ MD?

On to Friday's first tourney against Wis. We host as long as we win.

BRF

 

Fantastic victory over Wake Forest!