In a match that looked destined for penalty kicks, the Stanford Cardinal broke through in the second overtime and ended the Indiana University men’s soccer team’s quest for a 9th national title. Stanford won its third consecutive national title.
After looking sharp in the early minutes of the first half with crisp ball handling and passing, IU then spent a lot of time in their own half of the field for the remainder of the half. The Cardinal held a 5-1 shots on goal lead at the break. A couple first half diving saves from goalkeeper Trey Muse helped keep the match scoreless. Grant Lillard was an anchor on the back end in ensuring that Stanford did not have any serious runs.
Indiana looked better in the second half and into the first overtime as the match evened out somewhat. Indiana had a few good counter attacks that failed to produce against the stout Cardinal defense. Stanford had one good attack that required a Trey Muse save.
Stanford’s Sam Werner put the game-winner over the head of Indiana goal keeper Trey Muse in the 103rd minute. The Cardinal’s game-winner was set up off of a throw-in, as Corey Baird crossed the ball in Indiana’s box, Werner stole the ball from Indiana’s Griffin Dorsey and fired a shot between two defenders and into the back of the net.
The Stanford goal was just the seventh goal Indiana allowed all season and resulted in the Hoosiers’ first loss of the season.
The quest for nine carries on to 2018.
AP Photo – Derik Hamilton