Hoosiers earn redemption

MADISON, Wis. -- After an early exit in last year's Big Ten Tournament, the men's soccer team found redemption Sunday night, winning their ninth Big Ten Championship, in the league's 11-year existence. The Hoosiers (14-3-1) topped the No. 5 seed Michigan and No. 3 seed Michigan State to win the title. \nIU 1, Michigan 0\nThursday night, the No.4 seeded Wisconsin Badgers were upset by the No.5 Michigan Wolverines on their home field. On Friday night, Michigan was looking for their second upset of the tournament when they matched up with the No.1 Hoosiers. \nThe Wolverines, a highly athletic and young squad, gave IU all they could handle, forcing three overtimes before junior forward Pat Noonan knocked in the winning goal for the 1-0 win. \nThe game left head coach Jerry Yeagley impressed with Michigan, a team in only its second year of varsity competition.\n"What (Michigan) has done in two years is tremendous, to get their team to the level where they can compete with any team," Yeagley said. "I think (Michigan's freshman goalie Joe Zawacki) was certainly the defensive player of the match, he just game up with some very good saves."\nBehind Zawacki's seven saves on the night, the Wolverines defense was able to hold IU's offense at bay. In regulation, both teams had some close calls deep in the box but neither could capitalize for a score. \nThe first two 15-minute overtimes saw the Hoosiers make some dangerous attempts, but they were all unsuccessful. \nFinally in the third overtime, sophomore midfielder Vijay Dias found Noonan streaking down the field. Noonan took the ball past a Michigan defender and blasted it past a diving Zawacki at the 122:10 mark.\n"All I remember is (Dias) getting the ball in the middle of the field," Noonan said. "He had some time and I think he saw me isolated on the wing. I just happened to take a touch by the defender and was able to go to the far post."\nMichigan head coach Steve Burns praised Noonan for his effort and his ability.\n"That's what great players do and (Noonan) is a great one," Burns said. "We've seen three Hermann Award candidates and by far he's the best we've seen."\nIU 2, MSU 0\nDespite several scoring opportunities for the Hoosiers, the first half went much like the first 120 minutes of the Michigan game -- without a goal. Noonan made a bid just three minutes into the match, one-timing a Dias cross on goal, but was blocked by sophomore MSU goalkeeper Mike Robinson. \nRobinson also came up with a diving save on a rocket shot by freshman Ned Grabavoy just before halftime, preserving the game at 0-0.\nIn the second half the intensity picked up, and so did the scoring. Thirteen minutes into the half, senior sweeper Josh Rife sent a pass to Noonan deep into the right side of the box. Noonan settled and found streaking junior Michael Bock, who directed the ball into the back of the net.\nThe goal was the second of the year for Bock, who had just come off the bench.\n"After both of our previous games, we knew fatigue would be a factor," Yeagley said. "Bock came in and gave us a huge boost. He is one of our faster players, so when he can get behind their defense he is dangerous."\nRife came up from his sweeper position to setup the goal.\n"I saw (Noonan) had his player sealed off, so I just tried to get it to him," Rife said. "(Noonan) can make a lot of things happen, so I just wanted to get it to him so he can do what he does."\nThe Hoosier defense not only kept MSU off the board for the remainder of the game, but also came up with the second goal. Senior back Ryan Hammer sent a long throw from deep in MSU territory to fellow back John Swann, a junior, who put the second and final goal of the day into the net.\nThe IU defense posted another shutout, their 13th of the 14 total wins.\n"I've always said that I'd hate to play against our defense," Noonan said. "We have all the confidence in the world that they are going to shutout the other team every time we play."\nFor their efforts, Noonan and Rife were named offensive and defensive player of the tournament, respectively. Both recipients credited their teammates.\n"You just have to go out and play and whatever awards come, come," Noonan said. "We had different players come up big with the goals. I give credit to the players who didn't receive the award, but just as easily could have."\n"It's the guys in front of me that make my job easier," Rife said. "Hammer and Swann played great, and they really deserve the award." \nAfter falling in the second round last year, Yeagley was relieved to have vindication.\n"Last year we lost in a game that we dominated more than we dominated today," Yeagley said. "In the second half I was beginning to have deja vu, but we pulled it out. You always want to rule the conference, and we finally got it back"