Indiana University’s Mens Soccer program lifted yet another National Title Sunday afternoon, defeating Georgetown 1-0 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.
Aided by six players with ties to the Fire player development system, the Hoosiers gained their eighth championship (and first since 2004), good enough for second all-time behind only Saint Louis University.
After a scoreless first half, the lone goal would be produced by Fire Academy, Super-20 and PDL product Patrick Doody (pictured right) in the 63rd minute.
The left back broke free up the flank, served a looping ball to the back post where it was headed down by Eriq Zavaleta before Nikita Kotlov knocked it home from close range.
Georgetown threw everything forward late and nearly forced extra time in the 89th minute. This time another Academy, Super-20 and PDL product and senior midfielder Ian Christianson headed a long ball from the left flank off the right post before Hoosier ‘keeper Luis Soffner could collect.
Doody joins fellow Fire Player Development alumni junior midfielder Jacob Bushue (Academy), freshman forward Andrew Oliver (Academy), junior midfielder Harrison Petts (PDL, Super-20), freshman forward Richard Ballard (Kentucky Fire Juniors) and sophomore goalkeeper Michael Soderlund (PDL, Super-20) in winning the national title.
Christianson was joined by sophomore midfielder Tom Skelly (PDL) in the Hoyas losing effort.
In total, seven of the eight Fire players took part in Sunday’s final with only Soderlund standing in the wings for Indiana.
