Quest for No. 8 begins Sunday

IU Coach Todd Yeagley told his team at practice Wednesday to have the big goals.
“Big goals drive you and everything you do, so certainly that is something that our players are thinking about, and it allows them to focus in the moments we get a chance to have big goals,” he said.

Yeagley was referring to the team “motto” that has been used by athletes, fans and alumni all season: “#Q48” or “Quest for Eight.”

As this season makes its way into the NCAA Tournament, the Hoosiers are waiting for their big goals to meet them in their opening second-round match Sunday at Bill Armstrong Stadium against Xavier. Despite some disappointing outcomes at the end of the season, the Hoosiers’ strong play early on allowed them to get a No. 16 seed to get a bye game and a home match in the second round.

“I was happy that I knew we were going to get at least one more home match on this field,” Bloomington-native senior midfielder Caleb Konstanski said. “I didn’t want the Northwestern draw to be our last home outcome.”

Even though the motto calls for another title, Yeagley is keeping the team focused on just one match at a time.

“As players, there is nothing they should be thinking about other than the first match, because we have to do some early preparation just to make sure we’re prepared for those teams,” he said.

The team is looking forward to its next opportunity for a successful tournament following its 2-1 loss to Michigan State in their opening match of the Big Ten Tournament. Junior midfielder Nikita Kotlov said the ride home from that game was a quiet one.

“It was the seniors’ last opportunity to get one of those playoffs wins,” Kotlov said. “Obviously it was unfortunate, but we had a couple days off to think about it and let it sink in before getting ready for this matchup.”

Yeagley said the NCAA Tournament provides the Hoosiers a new opportunity with a fresh start.

“After a tough loss, you need to get back at it or have a change of scenarios,” Yeagley said. “There is no bigger change in scenario than the start of a new season, which is what the NCAA Tournament is for us. Nothing is handed to anyone, everyone is here, and it doesn’t matter what you did early on, because your body of work at this point just gives you one shot at the title.”

For a shot at the title, Yeagley said his players should focus on what needs to be done. For his team, he said #Q48 is a reminder.

“The guys come here to win a championship, and they know what needs to be done in order to be in a position to achieve that,” he said.

Senior goalkeeper Luis Soffner said he realized this would be his last chance to hoist the trophy in his personal quest for number eight.

“Now we don’t have another chance, so for myself and some of the older guys, the #Q48 definitely means a lot,” he said. “I think the younger guys are buying into it too now, because you don’t get many chances at it. This is our last chance and we’re looking forward to it.”