No. 14 Indiana men’s soccer began its NCAA Tournament campaign Sunday afternoon at Bill Armstrong Stadium, taking on the University of Akron. The Hoosiers defeated the Zips 2-1.
A 1-0 victory over Princeton University on Thursday brought Akron to the second round of the tournament. The Zips secured the Big East regular season title, and redshirt senior forward Emil Jaaskelainen led the nation in scoring with 23 goals, earning a unanimous selection to the First-Team All-Big East as well as Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Akron began the game with most of the control, holding nearly all the possession but failing to create many chances. In the 25th minute, the Zips managed their first opportunity, but the chance was saved by fifth-year senior goalkeeper JT Harms.
Only six minutes later, Akron took the lead. A cross from redshirt senior midfielder Victor Gaulmin found the head of fellow redshirt senior midfielder Dyson Clapier, who rose above the Hoosiers in the box and granted the Zips the advantage.
Neither team created many chances following the goal, Akron ending the half with a 1-0 lead. However, Indiana started the second half fast, creating three quality chances in the first seven minutes.
In the 62nd minute, senior midfielder Patrick McDonald delivered a free kick to freshman center back Josh Maher, but his header hit the ground and then the crossbar. Indiana had another chance three minutes later, but a Zips defender saved an attempt by graduate forward Justin Weiss.
Indiana finally broke its scoring drought in the 71st minute. McDonald played a through ball to Weiss over the top of the Akron defense. With backup keeper Brett Kamiski off his line, the Northwestern transfer chipped his attempt over the Zip freshman for his seventh goal of the season.
Senior forward Sam Sarver nearly stole the game for Indiana in the final five minutes of the game, turning with the ball and curling his attempt off the post. Regulation finished tied 1-1, and both squads, visibly exhausted, entered a golden goal overtime.
With only a minute left in the first half of overtime, sophomore forward Collins Oduro placed a cross into the box. Fifth-year senior defender Jansen Miller got to the ball first, heading his attempt to the bottom left corner and granting Indiana the victory.
The victory over the Zips gives Indiana its 10th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament third round. The Hoosiers will play either the University of Denver or Gardner-Webb University next weekend.
Follow reporters Matt Press (@MattPress23) and Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the minute Akron scored its first goal.
