Todd Yeagley Coach of the Year and IUS News and Notes for 2013

I had been thinking of doing an update on IU Soccer, but when Todd Yeagley was named National Coach of the Year by Soccer America, that sort of clinched it. The first run by a #16 seed to the national title undoubtably put him in over some very good competition. Soccer America also named Eriq Zavaleta as an All-America first-teamer, and Femi Hollinger-Janzen as an all-freshmen second team selection. Of course, as expected, Zavaleta has signed a Generation Adidas contract to go into the MLS Superdraft early, forsaking his last two years of eligibility. As a former defender, his adaptability is expected to be a big hit for scouts as well as his noticeable athleticism, and he's being talked about as a possible top-two pick. Of course, so was Will Bruin, and he slipped to 11th. Speaking of Bruin, he got the call-up to the January camp for the US Men's National Team. Bruin had a just fantastic campaign this season, and I hope he gets a chance to compete against Honduras in the USMNT next game (Feb. 6th). And in other Hoosier soccer honor news, Assistant Coach Brian Maisonneuve was named one of the top 15 assistant coaches in the country by College Soccer News. Hopefully, we can keep Mais on the staff for a little bit longer, but I'd understand if head coaching opportunities started arising for him.

Besides Zavaleta leaving, and the graduation losses of defensive stalwart Caleb Konstanski, goalkeepers Luis Soffner and Nate Mitchell, reserve forwards Joe Tolen, Tim Wylie, and Aris Zafeiratos, reserve defender Lance Davis has transferred to IUPUI. However, two talented freshmen midfielders are arriving a semester early to start school and begin practicing with the team this spring. One is Tanner Thompson, the son of one of Indiana's all-time great players, Gregg Thompson, and the other is Michael Gallulo. Gallulo was the 2012 Indiana Soccer Player of the Year and NSCAA All-American. Furthermore, Louisville's leading goal and point scorer, forward Dylan Mares, is transferring to Indiana as well and will be eligible in this fall. Mares, a former teammate of Harrison Petts and AJ Corrado, has scored 15 goals and 10 assists in his two years with the Cardinals. There are some questions for next season that will need to be resolved (for example, who's the starting goalkeeper?), but it's great to see the honors and good news flowing into Bloomington again with the resurgence of Indiana Soccer.