(Bloomington, IN) – In the second game of the adidas/IU kick-off classic, #7 Indiana (IU) was able to outlast Duke with a late goal to gain a 2-1 victory in front of their large rabid fans. In a continuation of the first game, neither team was particularly impressive with individual players displaying only a glimpse of something special.
IU should be disappointed with their performance. Against a Duke team in transition, IU never pressed their dominance allowing Duke to be in the game until the final minutes. Even worse, Duke came out and looked more like the #7 ranked team playing an unrated opponent.
Starting Line-ups:
Duke: 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield
GK: Brendan Fitzgerald
D: Matthew Thomas, Darrius Barnes, Pavelid Castaneda, Ian Kalis
M: Kwasi Ayisi, Christian Ibeagha, Cole Grossman, Josh Bienenfeld
F: Kyle Bethel, Mike Grella
IU: 4-1-3-2 with 1 DM and 3 flat MF
GK: Chay Cain
D: Daniel Kelley, Tommy Meyer, Ofori Sarkodie, Kevin Alston
DM: Brad Ring
M: Rich Balchan, Eric Alexander, John Mellencamp
F: Darren Yeagle, Will Bruin
Duke Observations:
Senior forward Mike Grella is a cut above everyone else on Duke’s squad. His vision, experience and ability to get the ball to his team is important. If Duke is going to have a successful year, Grella needs to score a lot of goals in big games. Grella set up the Duke goal in the 62nd minute by holding the ball while under extreme pressure. He calmly squared the ball to an open freshman forward Kyle Bethel who finished the shot from in front of the net 8 yards out.
Senior goal keeper Brendan Fitzgerald made good decisions coming out to punch the ball to squelch IU attacks. He was solid in the goal and has good hands. Best goal keeper in the tournament to date.
In the first 20 minutes, it was all Duke. With Sophomore AM Cole Grossman pulling the strings to combine with Grella and Christian Ibeagha, Grossman was able to create a shot that went high.
Junior defender Matthew Thomas is a liability in the back. Right before half time, he almost generated an own goal by heading the ball past his approaching GK. Only a heroic effort by Darrious Barnes allowed Duke to end the half with a scoreless tie. When senior Graham Dugoni returns from injury, Thomas will return to the bench. Barnes is a pretty good player.
Freshman left back Ian Kalis drives his corner kicks and almost connected with Barnes in the first half. This is going to be a weapon this year. Though he had a dreadful shot in the second half that was wide, wide, wide, wide left.
IU Observations:
Will Bruin is as good as advertised. He has a big body and is very strong. He has tremendous awareness, combining with his wide midfields when he checks back. In the 30th minute, he earned a PK that wasn’t called by Abby Okulaja. In the second half, he scored a goal that was called back for after hitting legs with Barnes – Abby was right on this one. I like Bruin’s passing. He didn’t create his own shot in this game. He’ll need to be able to do this.
The first IU goal was scored by Kevin Alston in the 58th minute. He took a 35 yard shot that deflected off a Duke player and looped into the goal over the helpless Fitzgerald.
The game winning goal was created by senior all-american candidate Brad Ring taking a square ball from Eric Alexander 35 yards from goal. Ring drove into the box, as Duke converged, he slipped the ball to senior midfielder John Mellencamp who hit the far side netting from 12 yards with 5 minutes left in the game.
Freshman central defender Tommy Meyer teamed well with Ofori Sarkodie.
Darren Yeagle wasn’t impressive. He didn’t get involved and when he did – didn’t look good.
Ring is class. He is calm on the ball and a battler in the air.
Sophomore forward Neil Wilmarth provides bite to the IU team and he turned around the IU fortunes when he came into the game. He’s going to get minutes this year. IU won’t be able to keep him out of the game
