No. 6 Hoosiers Advance to Third Round with 1-0 Win over Northern Illinois - Indiana University Athletics (original) (raw)

11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Nov. 15, 2006

Box Score | Quotes

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Brian Ackley scored his seventh goal of the season in the first half and keeper Chay Cain made it stand with his ninth shutout of the year as Indiana advanced to the third round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship with a 1-0 win over Northern Illinois at Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium on Nov. 15.

The sixth-ranked and seventh-seeded Hoosiers (15-4-2) got the only goal they would need in the 20th minute, when Ackley converted after a pair of solid passes. Senior Kevin Robson got the play started in the midfield, taking the ball down the left sideline. Robson crossed the ball in to John Mellencamp, who in turn found Ackley in the box. Ackley chipped in far post from about eight yards out for the game's only goal.

The goal was only the third allowed by NIU keeper Joe Zimka this season. Zimka, who entered the contest leading the nation with a 0.15 goals against average in more than 1,200 minutes of action, made one save on the night.

Northern Illinois (15-6-1) had a chance to counter in the 25th minute, when Marcus McCarty lined up for a penalty kick after an IU takedown in the box. Cain was equal to the challenge, making a kick save on the shot, one of four he would have on the night. The ball rebounded back into play, but Indiana defender Ofori Sarkodie cleared the ball over the endline. The Hoosiers then successfully cleared the ensuing corner kick.

The Hoosiers nearly struck first in the 11th minute, but Josh Tudela's direct free kick from 20 yards out smacked off the far post and out of danger.

NIU had several scoring chances in a wild sequence of action early in the second half. In the 58th minute, McCarty sent a laser lower left that Cain saved into the far post. Kevin Woerner collected the rebound and lined up another shot, which was blocked by Sarkodie out of bounds. Woerner then ended up with another shot off Luis de la Cerda's corner kick, but the attempt sailed over the goal, and IU escaped without damage.

The Hoosiers and Huskies matched shots on the evening with nine apiece, but NIU held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Indiana improved its record to 53-4 at home in NCAA play. The Hoosiers will host 10th-seeded Santa Clara on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.