Indiana started Big Ten play with its first loss of the season, a 3-0 defeat against No. 20 Ohio State. The Hoosiers hosted the Buckeyes in a vicious match at Bill Armstrong Stadium, where emotional and physical toughness was tested.
Ohio State, entering the game with a record of 4-1-1, had an impressive first half scoring two goals and making Indiana’s defense work the hardest they’ve had to this season. Despite their recent 1-0 loss to Auburn, Ohio State has been dominating offensively with 13 goals so far this season. Indiana’s defense, usually solid and compact, struggled to contain the Buckeyes’ dynamic forward play, marking a significant shift from their previous shutout performances. Indiana entered the match with an undefeated record of 5-0-1 from non-conference play and an impressive start to their season. This contest was a brutal reminder for Indiana that not every game will be a shut out like they’ve gotten used to.
As Indiana cranked up the heat in the start of the second half, a controversial call against an Ohio State handball left Indiana head coach Erwin van Bennekom with a yellow card.
“The moment I was pissed about was the hand ball. [The Referee] went through all these different explanations of why it wasn't, but for me it was as clear as day,” van Bennekom said.
This only made the team hotter. This card on their coach sparked a fiery response from the Hoosiers, who amped up their aggression on the field, relentlessly challenging every ball and applying constant pressure. Every time you looked, a Hoosier was sprinting down the field, sliding at the ball, and tackling the Buckeyes, showing their determination not to go down without a fight.
However, Ohio State’s defense, organized and resilient, absorbed the pressure well, and the Buckeyes continued to exploit spaces left by Indiana’s push forward. They sank a third goal with less than three minutes left of regulation. This match marked a significant reminder for Indiana as they face more competitive teams for the duration of the season.
“We weren't good enough today to beat a good team like them, it’s on us,” van Bennekom said.
In the next five weeks Indiana will play 10 more Big Ten schools, including new additions UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington. Here’s what to look forward to.
Next Thursday, Indiana will take off against No. 22 UCLA for the first time right here in Bloomington. This will be the teams' first encounter and will prove to be an interesting, competitive match against the ranked UCLA program. You can expect Indiana to have a tight defense and attempt to maintain possession in hopes to have a confidence-boosting win.
A few days after going up against UCLA, Indiana will play host again — this time to USC. USC and Indiana have only played against each other twice in the 2000s, one game with a Hoosier victory and the other as a loss. Having two home games back-to-back provides Indiana an advantage in what will likely be a game of intensity.
As Indiana begins Big Ten play, the loss against Ohio State serves as both a wake-up call and an opportunity for growth. The journey ahead is demanding and exciting for the Hoosiers but offers a chance for the Hoosiers to identify their strategies and strengths. As Indiana moves forward in Big Ten play, it will be an exciting and complex journey to watch how they build on their experiences and tackle the competitive matches ahead.
