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It really isn't fair. The team doesn't bring in a lot of revenue and their presence isn't huge on campus, but the IU Men's soccer team should get more love. With Devin's help in the past and then Ben picking up the reins, we've covered the soccer team sporadically throughout the years here, but they've never been a huge focus.
Despite living just outside of the public eye, the Hoosiers continue to be the class of the American Collegiate Soccer. You want to talk about a blue blood program with deep ties, it is Indiana soccer. They've won a national championship in every decade since the 80s and look primed to make a run at another one this season. With Todd Yeagley, son of legendary coach Jerry Yeagley, at the helm the Hoosiers have gone from unranked to a top 5 team this season with the defeat of #1 Notre Dame on their list of scalps as well.
Indiana hosted the top ranked Irish last night in Bloomington with a crowd of about 3,000 on hand to watch. Those 3,000 on hand got to see a dominating performance by the Hoosiers. It took 19 minutes for IU to tuck one through the Irish net on a Patrick Doody corner kick. After that the Hoosiers didn't need much else. Goalkeeper Collin Webb only had to record three saves in total last night. Meaning the Hoosiers defense was stout, the midfield controlled the ball and forwards applied pressure up top all night. Though they didn't get another goal on the evening it wasn't from a lack of good looks. Tanner Thompson just missed doubling up the score late with a shot that rebounded off the far post.
This game had shades of 2012, when the Hoosiers dropped the #1 ranked Irish on the way to a national championship run. Hopefully this squad can repeat the process this year. The team just keep getting better as the year goes on. There is little doubt they'll be an at large candidate at worst, but the Big Ten tournament is within their grasp. However, the Big Ten is stacked this year with four ranked teams and a fifth one on just the outside looking in. There are also 6 Big Ten teams in the top 30 of RPI at the moment. The conference is very good.
Right now the greatest show on turf in Bloomington isn't on the football field. It's over at Armstrong Stadium. I recommend you get over there to catch a game soon. The season is winding down and it's always great to say you got to see a national championship team in action. Especially when some of these players are likely to suit up for their country in the near future.