Men's soccer beats Michigan, moves to first place in Big Ten

Midway through the Big Ten season, the No. 18 IU men’s soccer team stands alone atop the conference.

A corner kick put back by junior midfielder Alec Purdie and a header by sophomore defender Caleb Konstanski made the difference in a 2-1 victory against No. 25 Michigan on Saturday to cap off Homecoming weekend in Bloomington.

However, IU coach Todd Yeagley wasn’t quite ready to give his team a perfect midseason conference grade.

“In the Big Ten season, being halfway through, when you’re undefeated, you’ve got to be a B or better,” Yeagley said. “It’s hard to give an A. I’m pretty picky. I’m a tough grader. It will be tough to get 4.0s with me.”

Purdie’s goal, which came in the 29th minute, was IU’s first set-piece goal of the year. Senior midfielder Andy Adlard played the corner kick into the crowd, and after the ball got knocked around in front of the net, Purdie put it away.

“We go over them in practice constantly, trying to get into the positive column in the restart,” Purdie said. “It was a good ball in, but credit to Will (Bruin). I think he’s the one who ended up knocking it down for me.”

The goal was Purdie’s second in two games; he came off the bench in both. The veteran said while he is not a starter, he knows his role is important.

“You need to be able to contribute any time your name is called,” he said.

In the second half, the Hoosiers gave up a set-piece goal on an unassisted free kick by Michigan’s Soony Saad.

Michigan took a quick strike while sophomore goalkeeper Luis Soffner was still adjusting the line.

“Luckily for them, they realized the ref was out of the picture,” Soffner said. “He didn’t signal for on his whistle or anything, so I guess they knew that they could play it, and we just got caught napping.”

It was a blemish on an otherwise solid defensive game, as the IU defense only gave up two shots on frame.

Soffner had the start after losing the start at Creighton to backup keeper and junior Nate Mitchell.

The difference maker in the game came from Konstanski.

He recorded his first career goal at the 31:53 mark in the first half, taking the assist from fellow freshman midfielder Harrison Petts.

The header sailed over the outstretched hands of Wolverine keeper Chris Blais.

The goal proved to be the game-winner.

IU (7-4-1, 2-0-1) is the Big Ten’s lone undefeated team. With three conference games to play in the regular season, the Hoosiers control their own destiny.

The Hoosiers travel to Lexington, Ky. on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match with the Wildcats. It is the first contest of a two-game road trip.

“We’re coming together at the right time,” Konstanski said. “Coach always says that this is the right time. Conference play is the time to come together, and we’re really coming together right now.”