4,045. The largest crowd Bill Armstrong Stadium has seen since the 2018 season. From start to the end, the Hoosier Army made its presence known in Indiana’s 1-0 nail-biter versus Penn State.
“I love that,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said about the students rushing the field. “To be a student here and get to celebrate a Big Ten Championship with the players is awesome.”
It was only the first minute of action when the Hoosiers had their first opportunity of the match.
Indiana forward Maouloune Goumballe beat a few Penn State defenders down the line and fired a low cross into the box that found Sam Sarver, whose momentum pushed the shot high.
While the Hoosiers set the tone early, the Nittany Lions found a huge chance in the sixth minute on a counter attack. Collins Oduro, sprinting back, more than likely saved a goal that kept the match level.
“What a play by Collins, his defensive recovery as a freshman is way ahead of his game,” Yeagley said post-match.
That play by Oduro played a huge factor in Indiana keeping a shutout.
Chance after chance kept coming for the Hoosiers but good goalkeeping from Kris Shakes kept the Nittany Lions in the match.
It wasn’t until the 38th minute when Sarver scored by firing a shot into the bottom-right corner just out of the reach of Shakes.
It was Sarver’s eighth goal of the season and his third against Penn State on the year. Back in early October, his brace gave Indiana a 2-1 win over the Nittany Lions. He has provided the Hoosiers with many exciting moments this season.
“I actually had flashbacks to Ryan Wittenbrink,” Sarver said, referring to Indiana’s top scorer a year ago. “That’s the goal he would always score.”
At the half Indiana held a 9-1 advantage in shots with three being on goal.
The first 25 minutes of the second half saw the Hoosiers maintaining the momentum. In the final 20, Penn State started to create some opportunities.
Pushing for a goal, Penn State’s Morgan Marshall headed a cross that went off the crossbar in the 75th minute.
A few moments later, Karsen Henderlong fired a shot from about 20 yards out but the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, Shakes, made another great save.
In the final five minutes of the match, the Nittany Lions saw their last real chance when Peter Mangione shot a rocket to the bottom-right corner but the fingertips of Indiana goalkeeper JT Harms pushed the ball to the outside of the post, saving a goal.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1… the clock ticked as the Indiana Hoosiers beat Penn State for the second time this season while winning its 16th Big Ten Tournament in program history.
The celebration was underway as fans rushed the field, swarming the players. Emotions were high as Indiana won the Big Ten Double.
“It feels good, but I want that third trophy,” Goumballe said.
The Cream and Crimson have made their case for a potential national seed, winning nine out of their past 10 matches. If the Hoosiers were able to get a top-16 seed, they would have a bye in the NCAA Tournament.
The selection show is set to take place on Monday at 1 p.m. ET.
