When Indiana and Rutgers meet on the pitch, you know it's going to be a thrilling match. For example, the last two times these programs have faced each other, it was to decide Big Ten titles in 2022 and 2023. While Friday night's Big Ten opener wasn’t to win the Big Ten, it was an opportunity for Indiana to get back in the win column. The Hoosiers would do just that with a 1-0 win at Rutgers on Friday.
Here are my three takeaways:
Tommy Mihalic has been huge for Indiana
In an earlier takeaways piece I wrote this season, I mentioned how Mihalic was a man on a mission. Friday night marked the Hoosiers’ sixth game in the 2024 season, and that seems to be a continuing storyline.
Just over a week ago, Mihalic earned his second career Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring three goals in a two-game stretch. Mihalic’s first goal came against Notre Dame and his next two were in a win over Yale when he bagged a brace.
Come Friday the 13th, Mihalic would tally his fourth goal of the season off a beautiful dish from Sam Sarver that would give Indiana the win. His goal Friday doubles his goal amount from last season as he finished with just two goals.
As he mentioned after the win versus Yale, “...but at the end of the day, the win is huge,” he came up clutch to give the Hoosiers the win. All of Mihalic’s goals this season have resulted in a win or a tie for Indiana, and it is surely a confidence booster yet again for No. 10.
This is a momentum-building win for the Hoosiers
Prior to Big Ten play, Indiana struggled in non-conference action losing twice to A-10 opponents and drawing against in-state rivals Notre Dame and Butler.
Friday night’s win over Rutgers marked the first time that this Indiana senior class started off Big Ten play with a victory. Also, it marked the first time this class went on the road to beat the Scarlet Knights.
The Hoosiers had great performances from a handful of players including Sam Sarver, Patrick McDonald, Breckin Minzey, and many more.
This one has to feel good for Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley and his squad.
The 4-3-3 formation was extremely effective
Through the first five games, Yeagley went with his classic 4-4-2 formation that has been so important for his former team's success. After an unsettling start to the year, he decided to switch it up and go with a 4-3-3 formation.
Whether this was a tactical change to use against Rutgers and their speed or a change to see what a different formation would look like, at the end of the day, it was extremely effective.
From start to finish the Hoosiers were dominant in possession, maintaining the ball and making the Scarlet Knights chase. This allowed for Indiana to use the space given to take chances on goal.
Indiana had lots of time on the ball and exploited the open areas of the field by switching play through the middle. Having three midfielders allowed for the front three to connect and use their speed to get past the Rutgers defense.
Also, this formation showed how Indiana can get the ball up quickly in those transition moments which led to many scoring chances.
After opening Big Ten play with a win, Indiana sits at a record of 2-2-2 on the season. The Hoosiers will return to non-conference play on Tuesday, as they will take on Evansville at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
