Just over 15 minutes after Ohio State’s Deylen Vellios netted an equalizer that deflated the Indiana faithful, Hoosier midfielder Karsen Henderlong gave Indiana a 2-1 lead that the home squad held until the clock struck zero. A low, left-footed shot skipped past the Buckeyes keeper Max Trejo, securing Henderlong’s third goal of the month and Indiana’s third consecutive victory.
“It feels great to get another win and keep the streak going,” Henderlong said after the game.
All three of Henderlong’s goals this season have been scored in the last two weeks.
“Sometimes, all you’ve got to do is see the first one go in,” he said. “Now, I feel like I’m going to score. It’s a confidence thing.”
It seems that as Henderlong heated up, so did Indiana. The Hoosiers are now 3-0-1 this season when Henderlong starts, with all four of those matches taking place in October. Additionally, Henderlong has scored in three of his four starts.
There were concerns about Indiana’s RPI after suboptimal results earlier this season, but the Hoosiers’ current winning streak has catapulted them back into the top 50, once again planting them in the postseason conversation. In a conference with as much parity as the Big Ten, every point is crucial and the difference between a draw and a win is seismic.
“We knew what was at stake here,” Indiana defender Joey Maher said after the game. Maher tallied the first of Indiana’s two goals on Saturday and assisted on Henderlong’s goal, in addition to making his defensive prowess known to Buckeyes far and wide.
“With how tight the Big Ten is, (this win) is a good three points,” Maher said.
There is a two-way tie atop of the Big Ten standings: Northwestern and Penn State share the lead with ten points apiece, Michigan State is alone in third place with nine, and Indiana is now tied with Michigan for fourth. The Hoosiers, now in possession of a 2-1-2 conference record, head to College Park to take on a struggling Maryland squad on Friday.
Entering Saturday, Maryland was in sole possession of last place in the conference, although it is difficult to believe Friday’s match will be anything but difficult for Indiana. Maryland fell to the Hoosiers in the conference tournament last season, a match which also took place in College Park.
Indiana is once again in the postseason hunt. Henderlong has blossomed as a starter, aiding an Indiana offense that struggled mightily in the early part of the season. Their struggles were well-documented, but as newcomers like Collins Oduro and Alex Barger have settled into their roles, the Hoosiers have looked more poised and eager to return to their winning ways.
Remember: Indiana’s 2022 campaign ended with a trip to the College Cup, thanks in large part to a successful October. Head coach Todd Yeagley and his squad are no strangers to figuring things out down the stretch, and the rest of the Big Ten should be on high alert. Once an avalanche gets started, it is difficult to stop.
