Forward returns; Hoosiers gain second win

The boys were back together again.\nFor the first time in 2002, IU forwards Pat Noonan and Mike Ambersley started a regular season game on the frontline.\nGranted, it was not an astonishing debut for the two strikers who both attended the same high school, but the onfield chemistry that was created some five years ago at DeSmet Jesuit High School near St. Louis, Mo. was still visible.\n"That's Pat's buddy," Hoosiers' coach Jerry Yeagley said. "When Mikey has the ball, Patty makes hard runs down the field. And vice versa. They think alike. They know what the other is going to do."\nThe preseason No. 1 ranked IU men's soccer team has been, aside from a brief appearance in a season opening 0-0 tie with Rutgers, without the services of Ambersley.\nA stint with the U-20 national team and a back injury has kept the 5'7", 155 pound sophomore off the pitch for most of the Hoosiers' opening four games.\nBut that all began to change Tuesday when Ambersley made his first appearance in the IU starting lineup of the Hoosiers' 2-0 victory over Louisville at Armstrong Stadium.\nHe played 64 of 90 minutes in the contest, creating several scoring opportunities for IU.\n"He's a good connector. I think that was part of the reason we were able to play as possessionally as we did," Yeagley said. "He's one of those players the guys can look to get the ball to, and he'll distribute."\nAnd his "buddy," Noonan, sure did benefit from having his line mate back.\n"I feel like it's a dangerous combo when we're together," Noonan said. "We know each other well. Obviously, we have something from our past experience."\nOn the first direct play between the two, Noonan received a one-touch pass back from Ambersley just in front of the Louisville penalty box two minutes into the contest. The All-American senior forward's shot would ricochet off of a Cardinal defender, but it was a play that symbolized how well the two gelled together.\n"It will take some time to get our timing down, but we're getting our shots," Ambersley said. "We're getting opportunities."\nThe "DeSmet Duo" would create several opportunities for a Hoosiers' offense that had been struggling of late.\nOf his 38 touches in the game, Ambersley set up one shot, attempted one and suffered three fouls in the Cardinals' defensive half of the field.\nNoonan was even more impressive, scoring one goal and setting up IU's other.\nHe attempted three shots and set up two more scoring chances, while suffering three fouls on 37 touches.\nFifteen minutes into the contest, Noonan had his fourth attempted shot deflect off of a Cardinal defender. This time, the ball went out of bounds and over the Louisville end line for a corner kick.\nSenior Ryan Mack then crossed the ball into the box where senior John Swann beat Cardinal goalie David Gisler for a 1-0 Hoosiers' advantage.\nThen, with fifteen minutes remaining in the game, Noonan headed a cross from freshman Brian Plotkin past Gisler to make the final 2-0.\n"The final third execution was still not up to where we want it to be," Yeagley said. "But I think having Ambersley out there really helped us."\nAfter scoring just three goals on 50 shots in their first four games of the season, IU scored twice on 13 shots last night.\n"It was great to be back in the lineup, especially with Pat," Ambersley said.