3 Takeaways From IU's 2-0 win over Yale in Men's Soccer On Sep. 1

Mihalic And Nesci Playing Star Roles For The Hoosiers Early On

IU Warms Up For Their Sunday Night Match Against Yale In Bloomington

Tommy Mihalic Scoring In Bunches Early On

Bloomington-Tommy Mihalic has been one of Indiana’s best scoring threats in his time in Bloomington. In his first two seasons on campus, he tallied 12 goals in just 45 matches. However, last season things got frustrating for Mihalic as he kept missing putting the ball in the net from point-blank range multiple times, often hitting the post and crossbar.

This led to just one score in 2023. However, early signs this fall are that the guy from 2021 and 2022 is back. So far Mihalic is responsible for three of the team’s four balls in the back of the net as well as both goals on Sunday night.

Mihalic said he loves putting the ball in the net and enjoys the jubiliation of it.

“I said the other day I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to score,” Mihalic said “It definitely feels good, I’m really happy.”

Michael Nesci Has Been Breakout Freshman Star

Michael Nesci came in as Indiana’s highest-ranked recruit for this fall according to Top Drawer Soccer. Overall, Nesci was the crown jewel of the nation’s seventh-best class and a top-100 player.

However, how quickly Nesci could contribute was an open question. With so many players returning in the Hoosier attack, it was unclear what role he might have. Early on though, he has looked ready to make a major impact from the get-go with his elite speed and scoring ability.

Nesci put one in the back of the net on a breakaway Thursday against Notre Dame to level the score at 1. On Sunday against Yale, his speed continued to give the opponent fits (it should be noted the Bulldogs had a hard time with Indiana’s quickness in general). Nesci got the start on Sunday and drew an early penalty kick after getting tackled during a point-blank look from a pass he took inside the box.

Mihalic said Nesci has played very well so far and knows he’ll help the squad all season.

“He’s great for a freshman,” Mihalic said. “He plays with a lot of confidence and edge. He’s been great for us and I know he’ll play a huge role on this team.”

The PK Nesci drew was upheld on review and converted by Mihalic. VAR continued to be the home side’s friend later on. A penalty was called on IU at the very end of the first half but overturned on second look. This is the first year of more expanded replay in college soccer and it very much helped the Hoosiers on Sunday in both instances.

Indiana Has Changed Their Annual Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic Significantly In Reason Seasons

For many years Indiana would host two top-level opponents in the Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic while two other matches not involving the Hoosiers would also take place against Notre Dame. In return, Indiana would play in a similar tournament up in South Bend annually. Then in 2018, the Hoosiers and Fighting Irish agreed to only play in each other’s events every other season.

In the alternating years, Indiana found a different regional foe to play the other two sides at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Then in recent seasons, the classic has condensed down to IU playing just one or two matches similar to any other nights.

Hoosier coach Todd Yeagley said conference expansion and flexibility are the main reason for the changes but they will always have the event in some form over Labor Day.

“Part of it is the Big Ten scheduling the third weekend,” Yeagley said. “It was our tournament and Notre Dame’s and we felt like we were a little bit boxed in with scheduling. This will always be our classic. Some years we’ll have four teams. We’ll always have two games over this weekend.

The team is now 1-1-1 and returns to action on Wednesday in Indianapolis for their annual rivalry match against Butler at 7 pm. The fast artificial turf and the Bulldog’s ability to get balls over the top to speedy forwards has given Indiana fits at times there. However, IU won there two years ago and the crowd figures to be a relatively even split between each side’s fans per usual.

_____________________________________________________________________

Postgame press conferences can be seen below: