If the IU men's soccer team hopes to increase its win streak to three games, it will have to do so without the Big Ten offensive player of the week.\nFreshman forward Darren Yeagle will not play in Wednesday's game against the University of Louisville because of illness, IU coach Mike Freitag said Tuesday. Sophomore midfielder Brian Ackley or sophomore forward Kevin Noschang will start in Yeagle's place.\nThe No. 14 Hoosiers take on the Cardinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nYeagle leads the team in goals scored with five and points with 11. He attended Tuesday's practice but sat on the sideline wearing sandals.\n"When somebody goes down, somebody steps up," Freitag said. "It's their opportunity, and that's what I expect is going to happen."
Familiar foes
Louisville native and senior midfielder John Michael Hayden has more than a win to play for against the Cardinals -- he wants bragging rights.\n"Every time you get a chance to play your hometown, it's great," Hayden said. "I know a ton of guys on that team, so there's a little chit-chat back and forth, just about the game."\nFreitag is also familiar with Louisville.\nHe watched the Cardinals play earlier in the year and knows Louisville coach Ken Lolla well. The two faced off last year when Lolla coached the University of Akron. Freitag's Hoosiers bested Lolla's then-No. 1 Zips 1-0 in overtime at Bill Armstrong Stadium.\n"Ken knows what he's doing, and I'm sure he's pumped up, ready to get a win at Bill Armstrong Stadium," Freitag said.\nThe Cardinals enter Wednesday's game with a 4-6-1 record and are coming off a 4-0 shutout of Syracuse University last weekend.\n"Anytime you score four goals, you're doing something right," Freitag said. \nStill, the Hoosiers have not allowed a Cardinal goal since 1992 and hold a 13-0 all-time record against their opponents from the south.
'Similar' lineup
Freitag said Wednesday's lineup will be "similar" to the one he installed for the Hoosiers' two most recent games. Freitag did not start captain and senior defender Julian Dieterle or sophomore midfielder Brad Ring. \nHe expressed his pleasure with his true freshmen's performance.\n"(Midfielder) Eric Alexander is a young man with a big, big future," Freitag said. "(Defender) Ofori Sarkodie's come in and played very well in the back. (Midfielder) Kevin Alston is a young man with tremendous potential, also. I'm just happy they're here."\nHayden supports his coach's lineup decision.\n"I'll back whatever the coaches decide to do," he said. "If they think that's best for the team, that's best for the team. You gotta go with it. I mean, we're winning, so it's a good thing."\nSarkodie said he is happy Freitag has shown faith in him.\n"The past couple of matches we started to turn things around," Sarkodie said. "Team chemistry is better. We've been moving the ball better. It shows in our play that our confidence is a lot higher."
IU returns to the rankings
After a two-week absence, the Hoosiers re-entered the National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll at No. 14. IU was likely boosted by the University of Kentucky's weekend upset of then-No. 6 University of South Carolina. The Hoosiers beat the Wildcats 1-0 in overtime last week. The Wildcats are ranked No. 13. \n \nBloomington reunion
While Yeagle sat out of Tuesday's practice, another speedy forward worked out with the Hoosiers. Former Hoosier forward Lee Nguyen practiced with the team at John Mellencamp Pavilion. Nguyen, a standout freshman last year for the cream and crimson, now plays for professional Dutch team PSV Eindhoven.\n"He's gotten a lot better since he's been playing pro," Hayden said.\nSardokie was still in high school last year when Nguyen played at IU, but the two played together when they were younger.\n"I love playing with Lee," Sarkodie said. "It's good to catch up with old friends"
