Style, flair distinguish sophomore's play

Juggling and whipping soccer balls across the field to wide-open teammates and tricking defenders, Marcus Chorvat, a sophomore midfielder on the men's soccer team, is known for his stylish play.\nHis signature move, used to confuse defenders, is the double-stepover: He passes his right foot across the ball once before passing his left foot over it. He then sidesteps the defender. His teammates said he makes the move look fluid.\nBut Chorvat had to tone down his game at IU to adjust to faster opponents, a more difficult training regimen and more complicated playing situations. He had to learn to touch the ball only once or twice while dribbling.\n"He was into style points," coach Jerry Yeagley said. "He has some good moves, but many times as a freshman, it had an effect on a match. And his defending and transition play was not up to standard. He worked hard on those areas and he also became a more simple player."\nOn the Vardar Club team in Michigan, Chorvat out-maneuvered opponents to five consecutive state club championships. But in his first year at national champion IU, he played in only seven games and scored one goal. As a freshman, he was 17.\n"Speed of play -- that was probably key (to adjusting)," Chorvat said. "Knowing where your players are. Trying to get rid of the ball as quick as possible. It's not as much of an individual game."\nAs Yeagley put it, Chorvat's "stock" is rising, as he's started four consecutive games and registered two assists for the No. 3 Hoosiers (13-3). In the University of California at Berkeley tournament this weekend, Chorvat might start as a center midfielder for sophomore Phil Presser, who sprained his MCL two weeks ago.\nChorvat, freshman Vijay Dias, and juniors Tyler Hawley and Bobby de St. Aubin have shared time at the two outside midfield positions. The position requires a player to constantly run up and down the field and switch between offense and defense.\nWhile Chorvat has started on the left wing, Hawley has recently started on the right while recuperating from an ankle injury. Aubin suffered a high groin injury last week and might not play this weekend, while Dias has come off the bench. \n Sophomore forward Michael Bock and Chorvat are two players who improved after their freshman seasons. Sophomore midfielder Pat Noonan scored most of his goals in 1999 in the final third of the season, and Bock and Presser got considerable playing time after coming off the bench last year. Freshmen Lucas Christian and Dias have steadily improved. Typical freshmen have to overcome first-year nerves and adjust to quicker play and stronger opponents, Yeagley said.\n"That's probably the key to this program -- getting that first year you get to learn so much, and when you become a sophomore, you have no problem," Chorvat said. "When you come in as a freshman, you have to get used to the system and just learn the style of play."\nChorvat's stylish play, though more simplified than in his high school days, allows his teammates to thrive. His favorite target is senior forward Matt Fundenberger, who often flourishes off wide service rather than taking the ball on the run.\n"Marcus is the best server with the ball," said Fundenberger, who has 13 goals to lead IU. "He's good from the left side since he's left-footed. It gives us a little more of an offensive look with Marcus. It's more offensive and with Tyler, it's more defensive. We can play their different strengths and weaknesses when Marcus is in there."\nYeagley said he expects Chorvat to play more consistently, and Chorvat said he wants to contribute to the offense more. He's had several wide-open shots in games, but has yet to score.\n"His best soccer is ahead of him," Yeagley said. "He's a late bloomer. Of course some people, what you see is what you get -- you're not going to get much more. With him, there will be more"