No. 2-rated recruits impress early, often

In 2006, the IU men’s soccer team earned its 12th Big Ten regular season championship and its 11th Big Ten tournament championship.\nThis year, the Hoosiers will have a different look as a team, but they will still be in search of the same achievements after signing a freshman class rated No. 2 in the nation by College Soccer News. This class includes four high school All-Americans and last year’s top scorer in the state. \nThe four All-Americans are Andy Adlard, Michael Roach, Max Weston and Alec Purdie. Purdie will be sitting out because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained this summer. The heralded class is rounded out by Indianapolis natives Rich Balchan, Tyler McCarroll and Michael Munroe – the younger brother of the Hoosiers’ goalkeeper, senior Chris Munroe. \nIU men’s soccer coach Mike Freitag said he was pleased with his team’s recruiting class. \n “I’m very happy with the freshmen at this time,” Freitag said. “They’ve all come in during this preseason period, they’ve shown why we recruited them. They’re all going to contribute to this program, some sooner than others, but we’re pleased that they’re here.”\nIU has been known for its talent and competition on the pitch for many years, and as a result, the squad has an established player in nearly every starting position. However, Adlard has impressed so much that he has been able to crack the Hoosier line-up early, as he will be one of this year’s starting forwards. \nAdlard’s parents, Stephen and Shelly Adlard, are both former athletes. Stephen played soccer professionally as a goalkeeper for various English teams in different international competitions, while his mother holds the all-time women’s basketball scoring record at the University of Evansville. \nAdlard said his parents were instrumental in his development.\n“They’ve been a great impact on me, and my dad’s coached me since I could walk,” Adlard said. “My mom is really athletic, and my dad would give my mom all the credit, but my dad was a pro goalkeeper, so he gave me a lot of tricks of the trade of scoring.”\nFreitag said he was impressed with Andy’s performance so far.\n“Andy is a kid who doesn’t play like a freshman,” Freitag said. “He’s a coach’s kid, and he has a great soccer mind.” \nFreitag also said Roach and Balchan will help the team immediately by giving the squad good minutes off the bench. \nRoach said IU has been a bit of a transition for him, but that he enjoys the opportunities playing for a top college program offer. \n“I definitely have had to adjust, because when you come here, everyone’s the best player from where they’ve come from, and all the guys had all the honors that I have coming in,” Roach said. “And it’s just a great opportunity to play with people just like myself.”\nThis recruiting class ranks second only to Duke in College Soccer News’ top 40 freshman classes. Roach said he was honored that his class is held in such high regard. \n“It’s a very big honor,” Roach said. “But we still have a lot to prove, so we’ll see how we are this year.”