No. 2 Indiana took to the road for the first time this season as it visited South Bend for the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament for matchups with Denver and Seattle. On Friday afternoon, IU met Denver and per usual with this year’s squad, drama ensued. Here are three takeaways from Indiana’s dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Denver.
IU plays from behind again
IU once again started on the flat foot on Friday afternoon after a goal from Denver midfielder Liam Johnson put the Pioneers up 1-0 in the sixth minute. It was the third straight match to start the season that IU has gone behind and it put the Hoosiers in a position where they had to quickly get shots off.
IU had 14 shots in regulation but just three on net, including the penalty kick that brought the game level by junior forward Ian Black. Over the past couple of years, IU has been accustomed to jumping out to a quick lead and playing back for the remainder of the 90 minutes. It appears that this year, IU won’t be afforded that luxury.
With a young team and a vulnerable defense at times, IU has to be more efficient with the chance it’s provided to avoid going down to begin the game.
Late drama
It’s only the third game of the season, but IU has already played more than 300 minutes of soccer after Black’s 97th minute goal capped off another overtime victory and a 2-1 defeat of Denver. During the Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic, it took two overtimes in matches against UCLA and Pittsburgh to settle the score, but against Denver it took just one.
IU redshirt junior defender Spencer Glass noted that he would rather see these matches get done in regulation, but that the Hoosiers have the preparation and stamina to complete the job, no matter how long it takes. Black is now the third different IU player to score a golden goal winner this season along with freshman forward Herbert Endeley and sophomore defender Jack Maher.
Black breaks out
IU head coach Todd Yeagley wasn’t quite sure where the goals would come
from heading into the season, but after three games it has become clear that Black will have a hefty load for IU. After his brace against Denver that included a penalty kick and the game winner, Black now has three goals and an assist on the season for a total of seven points.
Black played well in the spring and figured to continue that form into the fall. Because of lineup adjustments, he’s played both on the front line and the midfield, but slots well at one of the outside forward positions. Going forward, Black will be one of the biggest threats on the field for IU.
IU returns to the pitch in South Bend on Sunday at 4 p.m. for a matchup with Seattle.
More
