IU wins quarterfinal match against Michigan State in Big Ten tourney

Sophomore Nikita Kotlov ended the regular season with a tear offensively, and he continued that momentum in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.

Kotlov and senior Alec Purdie each scored a goal to lead the IU men’s soccer team (12-3-4) to a 2-1 quarterfinal victory against Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Wednesday.

The Hoosiers improved to 7-0 all-time in Big Ten quarterfinal matches and 36-4-3 against Michigan State. No. 4 seed IU will face No. 1 seed Northwestern at 1 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

Kotlov’s goal gave the ninth-ranked Hoosiers their first lead in the 39th minute after a defensive miscue from the Spartans.

“Jamie Vollmer had the ball right in the center on their half,” Kotlov said. “He played it to Eriq (Zavaleta), and for some reason their center back didn’t track me, and I was wide open. Eriq was able to find me, and I chipped it in.”

During the last seven games, Kotlov has scored six goals and has formed a formidable offensive threat with Purdie and Zavaleta, making it difficult for the defense to key on one guy.

“I’m making pretty good runs, and I have to give credit to all of our attackers that are able to get me the ball,” Kotlov said.

After the Hoosiers took the one-goal lead into halftime, Purdie put them at 2-0 with his eighth goal of the season just a little past a minute into the second half.

“On a long throw, Jamie put the ball right in front,” Purdie said. “We challenged for it, and it dropped to me, and I put it in the goal.”

For the second time this season, the Hoosiers led the Spartans by a 2-0 margin in the second half and, just like their last meeting with Michigan State, cut it to a one-goal deficit.

This time, however, IU was able to buckle down and get the result it needed.

“We fought on,” Purdie said. “We knew we had to close the game out. “We proved today that we can fight through it and get the result when we need it.”

In the postseason bracket, IU will have the opportunity to atone for the two ties that may have cost it a share of the Big Ten regular season championship.

“It’s working out nicely with us getting a second shot at Michigan State and Northwestern,” Purdie said. “We’re excited about it. It’s a big game. If we win, we get to the final on Sunday.”

The Hoosiers are now two wins away from the Big Ten tournament championship.
Purdie said he and his teammates realize every game is important and they need to focus on getting results.

“Win or go home,” Purdie said. “You can’t take anything for granted. We have to go out and play hard. Some of these teams it’s their last shot. “Everyone is giving 110 percent. You can’t afford to let your guard down for a single minute.”