Season not a total loss for IU

Entering this season, IU (15-3-3) had high hopes of returning to the National Championship and winning the game they lost last year. But these hopes were dashed when they played University of Connecticut in the third round of the NCAA tournament.\nUConn escaped with a 1-0 victory in brutal conditions ending IU's run for its sixth straight College Cup.\n"I was hoping to make it to the Final Four more this year than any other year," senior Ryan Mack said. "Looking at who we had on this team going into the year, we expected to get back to the championship and have a chance to win the game we lost last year."\nThe season was not a total loss though. IU faced some major adversity this year, and they became a stronger team after conquering the challenges.\nThe offense sputtered out of the gate, and it was not until they crushed Michigan State in the eighth game of the season, 6-1, that the floodgates finally opened. The Hoosier offense outscored opponents 39-18.\n"The high point of the season was when we came together as a team towards the middle of the season," Mack said.\nDuring the offense's slow start, the defense needed to step up and carry the team. IU notched eight shutouts and solidified itself in the backfield despite losing two starting backs and a goalkeeper from last season.\nThe Hoosiers endured many injuries, but none more serious than sophomore Danny O'Rourke's. The heart and soul of IU's defense went down for several games after breaking multiple bones in his face during pre-game warm-ups. \nThis might be good for next year though. Junior Drew Shinabarger and freshman Jordan Chirico enjoyed increased playing time while O'Rourke recovered. Both will need to step up and play solid midfield next year. \nThe Hoosiers will lose four starters from this year including the two leading scorers seniors Pat Noonan (37 points) and Mack (21 points). Seniors John Swann and Phil Presser will also not be back, depleting the defense.\n"The records and accomplishments for these seniors speak for themselves," coach Jerry Yeagley said. "They were the heart and soul of this team, and they will be missed."\nIU will have a different look next year when they take the field, but one of the team's leading scorers will return. \nSophomore Ned Grabavoy showed why he was the playmaker on the team. While making defenders look confused on numerous occasions, he finished third on the team with 20 points on the season. \nHe earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors joining Noonan who won the award three times. Swann was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice, and junior David Prall and sophomore Jay Nolly each were named once.\nGrabavoy knows he'll be looked to more next year with All-Americans Noonan and Mack graduating, but he believes next year might surprise some people, he said.\n"There will be no more Noonan or Mack," Grabavoy said. "No one will be expecting much from us next year, but we'll surprise some people. We just want to continue the IU legacy"