Indiana Soccer's Attack Production On Pace With 2022, But Where Are the Goals?

Indiana was shut out Friday at South Florida in the team’s first road match outside the state this season. The Hoosiers, now 2-2-1, are averaging fewer than one goal per match, yet are on pace to match or surpass last year's attack numbers in shots and shots on target.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — No. 15 Indiana has endured two shutout losses in its first five matches after being shut out just once all last season. 

Yet despite averaging fewer than one goal per match, scoring chances produced by Indiana's four-player attack have not declined this season compared to last.

In 25 matches last season on the way to the national championship, the Hoosiers collectively put up 300 shots, 135 on target, and generated 160 corner kicks. Through five matches in 2023, the team is on pace to match those stats, or at least be close, for all three categories: 86 shots (430 pace), 30 on target and 30 corners (150). 

The contrast? 

Indiana averaged 1.76 goals per match last season. So far this season, that's dropped by more than half, to 0.80 goals per match. Though the production is identical, the results aren't. The Hoosiers have scored just four goals in five matches, and they are 0-for-30 on corner kicks. The latest shutout came Friday in Tampa with the 1-0 loss to unranked, winless South Florida, though USF is more apt than its record implied.

Last season, Indiana scored six times from 160 corner kicks, about one goal per every 26 corners. This season, the Hoosiers have matched that pace with 30 corners, though they haven’t scored yet, despite the acquisition of 6-foot-4 transfer center back Hugo Bacharach, who would seem like an exceptional set-piece asset. 

Only one of Bacharach’s five shots, which includes headers, have been on target this season. But to be fair, the senior on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List has plugged Daniel Munie’s absence well – the former two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year – as the backline has only conceded three goals in five matches. It will likely take some time for Bacharach to be acquainted with Indiana's set-takers from the corners. 

Likewise, it will take time for Indiana's new corner-takers to adjust to that role. Perhaps even more difficult to replace at the moment are former Hoosiers Nyk Sessock and Ryan Wittenbrink, who assisted 16-of-44 Indiana goals combined last season. Sessock’s ability to heave throw-ins toward the box contributed to four goals. Sessock helped on one corner, too, and had the second-most assists on the team with seven. 

Of course, it’s simple to say Wittenbrink is difficult to replace. The 2023 First-Team All-Big Ten member led the Hoosiers with 10 goals and nine assists. More notably, he frequently took set-pieces like free and corner kicks, and led the team in corner-kick assists, with half of the six mentioned above. Wittenbrink could also cut both directions on the wings and was destructive with space. Sure, Wittenbrink had so many goals, but it also seemed that he usually had those needed and clutch goals.

“Our service has to be better,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said two matches ago, after the 1-0 win over Seton Hall at home. “I wouldn’t say concerns, I think we have different guys that can take it, I think the guys taking it aren’t being accurate [but] are capable. At some point, the serve has to be better or we have to make changes. Ideally, we have guys that can finish the play. I think we'll get there, but not a great start with our restarts this year, corners in particular.”

In the same postgame press conference, Yeagley praised redshirt senior Quinten Helmer’s services from the corner spot in the limited minutes he played. Helmer hasn't started yet this year. One match later, against South Florida on Friday, the left-footed Helmer took four of Indiana’s six corner kicks against the Bulls. None of the six truly threatened or instantly made contact with an Indiana player’s head going for goal.

Following the Seton Hall win, Yeagley said Tommy Mihalic's corner services were inconsistent. The junior, who was one of the two forwards in the team's 4-4-2 formation last year, has shifted to starting as an outside midfielder in all five matches this year. Mihalic didn't serve any corners Friday – though some of his long throw-ins this season have mimicked Sessock's – and he has undergone an unpredictable start. 

Mihalic scored twice in three preseason matches with two assists, but has yet to score in 15 shots in the regular season. That is the second-most shots on the team, behind freshman Collins Oduro, who has posted 21 shots and two goals. Though likely a situational decision by the Indiana coaching staff based on individual matchups, there have been times when Mihalic has shaded from the outside to playing more centrally. 

That begs the question of whether Indiana will change the four-player attack formation. Right now, Mihalic and Sam Sarver are the outside midfielders, whilst Oduro and Maouloune Goumballe are the two forwards up top. Goumballe’s speed is excellent for pressuring foes, though the fifth-year senior has put up four shots in comparison. There are also many past instances of Goumballe comfortably handling two defenders on the wings. Perhaps, Mihalic could move up top, which, for right now, would position Indiana’s two most frequent shot-takers at the top attacking line. 

Regardless, it isn't time to panic. Not yet. Indiana next welcomes No. 21 Wisconsin Friday night at home in the Big Ten opener. The Hoosiers haven't lost back-to-back regular season matches since 2013 and get the Badgers at home in hopes of extending that streak. Yes, Indiana was shutout three matches ago at home by Washington despite doubling the Huskies in shots. Indiana converting, or rather, not converting, has been the storyline to follow so far. But it's only been five matches.

There were stretches last season where Indiana wasn't playing fabulous soccer. At the end of the regular season, the Hoosiers were blanked by No. 2 Kentucky at home 3-0, outshot 6-3 on target to draw 1-1 at an unranked Evansville, and conceded in the last few minutes to draw with Maryland, losing grasp of sharing the Big Ten title. Oh, and Wittenbrink scored the Maryland goal via free-kick set-piece. The Big Ten Tournament was inconsistent, too, but Indiana marched to the national title match in November. 

The backline is conceding fewer goals per match than the offense is scoring them at the moment. Formation changes with the attack or set pieces starting to connect with Bacharach and others likely will produce more wins. Though the roster turnover in the attack and shifting of positions had already been figured out since the season opener, it may just take time to adjust and be in form offensively. Above all, the team is at least matching the offensive production in shots and corner kicks from last season. 

By the numbers, goals should start to fall. 

Related stories on Indiana Soccer: 

• INDIANA-SOUTH FLORIDA PREVIEW: Indiana will play an opponent that made last year's NCAA Tournament for the third straight match Friday night, as it travels to South Florida. In those previous two matches versus 2022 tournament teams, Indiana had one win and one loss. CLICK HERE
• INDIANA SOCCER BLANKS SETON HALL: Indiana followed up Friday's shutout loss to No. 22 Washington by beating Seton Hall Monday night, 1-0. As the Hoosiers outshot the Pirates 14-4, Sam Sarver's goal seemed more than just relief. CLICK HERE
• NO. 10 INDIANA FALLS TO NO. 22 WASHINGTON: Consensus top-25 teams Indiana and Washington met Friday night for the first time since Washington's postseason victory in 2021. The Hoosiers put up five shots on target in the second half, though they conceded the lone goal of the match in the 77th minute. CLICK HERE
• JT HARMS FEATURE: JT Harms dove into goalkeeping at 9 years old. He trained with far older players at academies, but his progress stalled at Duke. At Indiana, a position battle brought humility — and confidence. CLICK HERE