Seniors say goodbye in last regular season home game

Senior Day for the IU men’s soccer team was highlighted by a 1-0 win against Penn State on Sunday at Bill Armstrong Stadium. It was also the end of an era for three Hoosiers, all former high school teammates. \nThough Sunday was a successful day, a three-way tie for first place in the conference could hurt the No. 11 Hoosiers’ (11-4-2, 4-0-1) chance of an outright conference title. Ohio State and Michigan State each have one loss, and the Buckeyes could tie IU if the Hoosiers stumble next weekend at Wisconsin. And no one on the team would be satisfied with that.\nSenior defender Charley Traylor said his team isn’t interested in tying for the regular season title.\n“It’s exciting to reach our goals,” Traylor said. “But, we’re never satisfied, and I expect to win (the Big Ten) outright when we play Wisconsin.”\nThe contest against Penn State was yet another game where IU had to turn in a strong defensive effort. \nIU junior midfielder Brad Ring scored the lone goal of the game after a scoreless first half when he converted on a one-on-one opportunity in the 49th minute off of an assist by freshman forward Michael Roach. \nRing said it feels good to be on top, but IU still has unfinished business.\n“All that matters is the victory,” Ring said. “And we now have momentum heading into these last two matches and the Big Ten Tournament.” \nThe Hoosiers are looking forward, but some have reached a point that may cause them to reflect. Seniors and former North Central High School teammates Traylor, defender Greg Stevning and goalkeeper Chris Munroe all played in their final regular season game at Bill Armstrong Stadium. \nWhen asked about that final milestone, Munroe responded with some sadness. \n“That’s the most depressing question I’ve ever heard,” he said.\nBut it’s a question that must be asked of someone every year, and Munroe took the opportunity to dispense advice he would give to his younger brother, freshman goalkeeper Michael Munroe, and the rest of his team.\n“Take everything in stride,” he said. “There are going to be good times and bad times, but it is how you handle those situations (that) shows the kind of person you are, and he (Michael Monroe) knows that. “\nFreitag said this year’s seniors are a special group\n“What I like about them is they’re kids from Indiana,” Freitag said. “They’re kids who came to a national program and proved they can play here, and not too long ago, that was hard to say.”\nFreitag described his three seniors in further detail.\n “I’ve seen them mature, and they’re special,” Freitag said. “They all bring something different to the table. Munroe is ‘Mr. Brainiac,’ Stevning is just like a big puppy dog, but he’s tough, and then Charley, who’s ‘Mr. Social’ and comes with his lunch pail every day and ready to go to work. They’re great guys.”\nThese Hoosiers have been part of IU’s success. All three were there for IU’s 2003 and 2004 National Championships. \nBoth Traylor and Stevning said they’ve relished the success they’ve been a part of at IU.\n“It’s a good ending to my career to be undefeated in the Big Ten,” Stevning said. “My freshman year, we won the Big Ten, and now I get to go out on top.”\nTraylor said there are a few special moments in his IU career that will always stick out.\n“Winning a couple national championships is something that’ll always be special in my mind,” Traylor said. “But, this last season, getting to be captain and having a more active role in leading the boys, that’s something I’ll never forget.”