Defense comes up big again in fifth road win

INDIANAPOLIS -- Thursday night's game between No. 4 IU and Butler was the epitome of an in-state grudge match. Records did not mean anything going into this game, and it was clear from the beginning that the Bulldogs did not care that the Hoosiers are one of the nation's best.\nIU (7-1-2) survived Butler's (3-5-1) physical play winning 2-0 in the final match of a five-game road trip.\n"It was one of our best performances," coach Jerry Yeagley said. "The first half was almost clinical. The score did not indicate the quality of play we had offensively."\nOne of IU's hottest players of late, sophomore Ned Grabavoy provided some first half fireworks by doing what he does best. Grabavoy blew past four defenders in the box and slid a shot under Butler goalkeeper junior Grant Barrie for the lone goal in the half.\nGrabavoy has played like a man possessed, scoring eight points in the last three games on two goals and four assists. The four assists in the Michigan State game tied an IU team record for assists in a game. Grabavoy won the Penn State game on a penalty kick and also netted the winning goal versus Butler.\n"I want to contribute and get more involved," Grabavoy said. "Our combination play up top is really good right now."\nOne surprise in the first half was the lack of noise senior Pat Noonan made, as he took just one shot. But that would change in the second half when Noonan settled a pass from freshman Brian Plotkin and rifled it into the back of the net off one bounce. \nThe goal was Noonan's sixth of the year and Plotkin's first career point. Noonan is now tied for 10th on IU's career goal list with 40.\nOne of the questions marks entering the game was whether or not IU would be as solid in the backfield without starting sweeper senior Phil Presser, but sophomore Michael Bowditch answered that question in his first start.\n"Michael Bowditch, in his first start for us, played 90 minutes and did a fine job," Yeagley said. "This game will give him confidence in case we need to make that adjustment again." \nBowditch said that he has worked hard his whole life to get this chance, and he loved it.\n"I thought I played pretty well despite some nervous jitters," Bowditch said. "We kept the shutout, and a lot of that goes to our goalie and two backs that played tremendously." \nButler only managed three shots, but none forced sophomore IU goalkeeper Jay Nolly to make a save. The shutout was Nolly's sixth on the season. \nAlthough IU has gone undefeated on the road trip, the team is happy to be going home this weekend.\nIU will take on Michigan Sunday at 2 p.m. for its Big Ten home opener. The Hoosiers have never lost to the newest addition to Big Ten's men soccer. In fact, IU has not allowed a goal to the Wolverines since Michigan joined the conference in 2000.\nThe Wolverines (3-4-1, 0-1-0 in Big Ten) have dropped all four decisions including 3-0 and 1-0 losses last year.\nSophomore Knox Cameron, who is third in the conference with 15 points, leads Michigan and sophomore Mychal Turpin follows closely with 14 points on seven goals. Yeagley said IU's defense will have its hands full with Michigan's speed.\n"They'll probably be the fastest team we face all year," Yeagley said. "This will be a season-maker for them. It's a crucial Big Ten match"