IU men's soccer scores 1st Big Ten win on road against Michigan

If this weekend’s game was any indication of how IU’s Big Ten season will play out, the Hoosiers have a trying conference schedule ahead of them – but it shouldn’t be an issue for this team. \nAfter pulling away with the lead twice, IU (5-3-1, 1-0) was forced into overtime with a score of 2-2 at the end of regulation against its first conference foe of the season, No. 10 Michigan. Junior forward Kevin Noschang scored the winning goal in overtime, giving the Hoosiers their first Big Ten win of the season. \n“We looked great,” Noschang said. “Tonight’s game was the best all season. Everyone’s playing as an entire unit. Everyone came out and got the job done.” \nIU was the first team on the scoreboard at the 25-minute mark with a goal by junior midfielder Billy Weaver off an assist from junior Brad Ring. The goal was answered 15 minutes later by the Wolverines’ Jeffrey Quijano. After Quijano’s goal, starting goalkeeper Chay Cain was replaced by senior Chris Munroe, who had only seen 20 seconds of play this season prior to the game. \nThe Hoosiers took the lead again in the second half when freshman midfielder Daniel Kelly was fed a pass from freshman forward Neil Wilmarth. Kelly was able to send the ball into the left corner of the net with approximately 36 minutes left in regulation play. \nThe Wolverines answered that goal with 15 minutes of play left, and the Hoosiers were unable to take the lead again, forcing the overtime period where Noschang scored his fourth goal of the season for the victory. \nThe game proved to be a physical one for both teams. IU racked up 17 fouls, including two yellow cards. Michigan totaled 16 fouls, including one yellow card and one red card. Quijano was issued the red card in the second half, forcing the Wolverines to play one man down. Although Michigan was short-staffed, IU coach Mike Freitag thought the ejection of Quijano caused its team to relax their pressure, resulting in the goal that tied the game. \n“We played well,” Freitag said. “Unfortunately, we gave up a few goals. We took our foot off the gas.” \nWith a victory in the first conference game of the season, Kelly said his team is ready to take on the rest of the Big Ten. \n“(Tonight’s win) gives us a lot of confidence,” Kelly said. “After those three losses, it was good to come out with tonight’s win. It really lifted us. I think we’re ready (for Big Ten play).”