Sept. 9, 2005

Box Score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The two-time defending national champion and consensus No. 1 Indiana men's soccer team used an early second half goal to forge a 1-1 with No. 26 (College Soccer News) Saint Louis. After the Billikens had the better of play in the early stages of the match, the Hoosiers were able to gain control and outshoot SLU, 21-12. Indiana is now 2-0-1 on the seasons, while the Billikens are 1-1-1.

"We started out slow and dug a hole that we couldn't get out of," Indiana head coach Mike Frietag said. "We did some good things and controlled the game toward the end of the game. Give Saint Louis credit though, they came out ready to play and put us in that hole. They are a well-coached, quality team. Overall, though, I was pleased with some of the things we did."

The Hoosiers used a counter and speed to even the match less than 10 minutes into the second half. Senior midfielder Mike Ambersley gained possession along the right side line and sent an outlet pass to redshirt freshman forward Kevin Noschang. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native ran on to the ball and sent a centering pass to junior forward Jacob Peterson. The U.S. National Under-20 player put it away to the upper right corner from 15 yards out for his first tally of the season. The assist was the first career point for Noschang.

Two minutes later, senior midfielder Brian Plotkin narrowly missed putting the Hoosiers on top. The Lisle, Ill., native cut across the field from left to right and unleashed a low liner just wide of the right post.

In the 62nd minute, sophomore goalkeeper Chris Munroe made an important save to keep the match deadlocked. After SLU defender Calum Angus drew a free kick from 25 yards in the center of the field, he sent a low shot toward the right post that saw Munroe make a diving stab to end the scoring opportunity.

Freshman Lee Nguyen had a chance in the 73rd minute after gaining control 25 yards out in the center of the pitch. The Richardson, Texas, native sent a dipping attempt toward the left post that appeared to have the Saint Louis goalkeeper beat, but the shot went wide of the post.

In the 2004 affair between the IU and Saint Louis, the Hoosiers got the game-winner in the opening stages of overtime and history nearly repeated itself in 2005. After the Hoosiers earned a corner kick, Nguyen sent the cross toward the back post that found the head of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week sophomore Greg Stevning. The Indianapolis, Ind., product appeared to have his first career game-winner, but a SLU defender cleared it off the line.

The Hoosiers had a pair narrow misses in the second overtime period. After Nguyen earned a free kick in the 102nd minute, Plotkin sent the 30-yard liner toward the left post. The ball deflected off a Saint Louis defender before SLU senior goalkeeper Jeff Sackman was able to punch the ball high over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, the Billiken defense was again put to the test. Peterson sent a cross from the left sideline that found the head of Noschang, but a Saint Louis defender was able to clear the ball of the line before Sackman corralled it.

Saint Louis had the better of play for the majority of the first half. In the 23rd minute, the Billikens cashed in a set piece to take an early 1-0 lead. Junior midfielder John DiRaimondo sent a corner kick to the middle of the box where senior Ryan Wileman headed a shot toward the far post. It appeared as though the Hoosier defense would hold strong as the ball was cleared off the goal line, but the linesmen ruled the ball had crossed the plane.

Five minutes later, the Hoosiers nearly had the equalizer. After Noschang chested the ball down at the edge of the 18-yard box, junior midfielder Josh Tudela sent a shot just wide of the left post.

In the early stages of the second half, the Billikens attempted to push the advantage to two. SLU freshman Dado Hamzagic cut back at the top of the 18-yard box and sent a low shot toward the post. The ball was deflected by a Hoosier defender before Munroe made a diving save to stifle the chance.

Munroe finished with a career best three saves in the tie. Nguyen led the Hoosiers' offensive attack with six shots, while Peterson and freshman midfielder Brad Ring each had three. Saint Louis had six saves on the evening, including four from Sackman.

IU will face Boston University on Sunday, Sept. 11, in its final match of the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament. Game time is slated for 11:30 a.m. at Alumni Field. The Hoosiers knocked off the Terriers, 3-2, in overtime to open the 2004 season at the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.