Big Ten Player of the Week

Junior forward Pat Noonan is a top candidate for the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to collegiate soccer's National Player of the Year at the end of each season. \n"He's a proven player after two years," head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "But with (senior midfielder Ryan) Mack and (freshman forward) Ned Grabavoy out, I think he was pressing a little bit (at the beginning of the season). Now he's playing his game. He has a special ability to change the game by himself." \nNoonan was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, he also received the Fox 59 College Athlete of the Week.\nLast Thursday against Louisville, Noonan tallied two goals in a 4-0 shutout by the Hoosiers. It was his second career double-goal game, the first coming last season against Northwestern. \nThree days later, in IU's Big Ten opener against Michigan State, he netted another goal and was credited with an assist in the 3-0 victory over the Spartans. His offensive accuracy was on display in the two games, as he scored on 50 percent of his shot attempts. \nHe received his first player of the week award when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over the No.2 Washington Huskies September 8th. \nThus far in the season, he has chalked up 10 points on four goals and two assists. The No.6 Hoosiers will look for him to continue this productivity as they head into Friday's Big Ten showdown with No.8 Penn State. \nDespite his personal achievements, Noonan deflects any individual attention.\n"It's not something that's that important," Noonan said. "Obviously I couldn't get it done without the guys up top. I give (Mike) Ambersley a lot of credit. He's a big reason why I got (Big Ten Player of the Week) two weeks in a row."\nAmbersley, a freshman forward on the Hoosiers, knows Noonan well. The two grew up in Ballwin, Mo., where they played together at DeSmitt Jesuit High School. Their familiarity with each other on the field is evident in the statistics. Ambersley has assisted Noonan on two of his four goals.\nYeagley said he is beginning to see results on the college level from the high school teammates.\n"They had an understanding to begin with in high school, and now they're building on that," he said.\nAs IU's young team featuring three freshmen starters has gelled, Noonan's offense has come to life. In three of the Hoosiers past four games, Noonan has scored at least one goal. \nJunior midfielder Phil Presser said as long as the team continues to play well, Noonan will get plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills. He explained that the achievements of the team will most likely reciprocate any personal achievements awarded to Noonan.\n"As long as our team plays well, the higher chance he has of getting (the Hermann Trophy)," Presser said. "If we play poorly this season then he won't have a possibility of getting it. But if we keep playing the way we have in the past couple of years and like we're starting to play now then there's a better chance he'll get it"