Hoosier team to open spring season against IUPUI Jaguars

The men's soccer team opens its spring season at 7:30 p.m. today at Bill Armstrong Stadium with a match against IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis.\nThe Jaguars are a familiar opponent, and one that gave the Hoosiers trouble the last time the teams met.\nWhen IUPUI came to Bill Armstrong Stadium last season, IU needed goals from junior Pat Noonan and senior Ryan Mack in the final five minutes to pull out a 2-0 victory. Noonan and Mack lead the Hoosiers once again this spring. Last season, Noonan finished second on the team in both goals and assists with 11 and six, respectively. Mack led the team in assists with 12 and scored seven goals.\nThe Hoosiers have been practicing indoors at the John Mellencamp Pavilion since February and have had several practices outside, as the weather permitted. Coach Jerry Yeagley said the team's focus this spring has been on weight training and conditioning.\n"Guys have been doing a lot on the physical aspect and on fitness, strength training," said Yeagley, whose Hoosiers played in their fourth consecutive College Cup last season, losing to eventual-champion Connecticut 2-1 in overtime. "This is a very important time for us. We've been really pushing hard on that. I've seen good strides in strength development."\n IU will test its development five other times this spring.\n The Hoosiers play the Indy Blast April 7, then return home April 14 to play West Virginia Wesleyan. They finish the spring season with games against Butler, Notre Dame and Akron.\n Several faces will be missing when IU plays the Jaguars tonight, as senior Ryan Hammer and junior Marcus Chorvat are out with injuries. Sophomore Vijay Dias is questionable.