Indiana soccer confronted its first actual check of the season and didn’t precisely go with flying colours, barely eking out a win in a detailed recreation with Northwestern. The Hoosiers by no means trailed, however dedicated extra penalties than a typical Curt Cignetti group and struggled to string collectively good drives on either side of the ball, permitting the Wildcats to hold round longer than was comfy.
Indiana’s offense acquired off to a very gradual begin, turning it over on downs, punting, and settling for a area objective on its first three drives. Had it not been for a security after Indiana turned it over on the one yard line, it could have been a very scoreless first quarter.
The protection held robust via the primary half, shutting the Wildcats out via two quarters and utterly shutting down the working recreation. In the direction of the top of the half, Indiana’s offense lastly put collectively a great drive, going 90 yards to present Indiana a 12-0 lead heading into halftime.
Aidan Chiles began to warmth up within the second half after Northwestern’s offense was held to a three-and-out on the primary drive. The Hoosier defensive entrance consistently pressured him, however he prolonged performs along with his legs and led the Wildcats on three consecutive landing drives.
Indiana’s offense was additionally compelled to punt on its first drive of the second half, however responded to Northwestern’s scores with a pair of touchdowns of their very own, one on a run from Josh Hoover and one other on a run from Lee Beebe Jr., who stepped up after Turbo Richard left the sport within the first half with an harm.
The Hoosiers by no means trailed, however Northwestern was inside placing vary at a number of factors, even having a great shot at recovering an onside kick that bounced across the area with below a minute to play. Finally, Cignetti’s group got here out with the win, however there might be so much to work on after Indiana’s Massive Ten opener.
