No. 5 Indiana Opens Big Ten Play with 1-0 Win at Michigan
Fifth-ranked Indiana remained unbeaten Friday night, opening Big Ten play with a 1-nothing road victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor.
After a scoreless opening half, the difference came from Maryland transfer Stephane Njike — and he made his first Indiana goal one to remember.
At exactly 64:48, Njike stripped the ball from a Michigan player, carried it toward the penalty area, beat another defender and fired a low shot from about 25 yards into the side netting.
No assist was credited on the goal.
It was Njike’s first goal as a Hoosier, the sixth goal of his collegiate career and his fifth career game-winning goal in Big Ten play.
And Njike celebrated in style, breaking out a series of backflips before being mobbed by his Indiana teammates in the corner.
Michigan nearly answered just a few minutes later.
In the 68th minute, the Wolverines earned a free kick from roughly 30 yards out. Joao Paulo Ramos curled an attempt toward the upper corner, but Indiana goalkeeper Michal Mroz went airborne and knocked it over the crossbar with his left hand.
That proved to be Michigan’s only shot on goal all night.
Indiana finished with an 11-to-6 advantage in shots and put three attempts on target. Michigan goalkeeper Alen Bean made two saves, while Mroz needed just the one — but it was a big one — to secure the clean sheet.
Oliver Moller-Jensen led Indiana with four shots, while Njike attempted three and put two on target.
The shutout is Indiana’s fourth through seven matches. The Hoosiers have surrendered just three goals all season while holding opponents to only 17 shots on goal.
Indiana also snaps a two-match losing streak against Michigan and improves to 26-6-and-5 all-time against the Wolverines.
Most importantly, the Hoosiers leave Ann Arbor with three Big Ten points.
Indiana improves to 6-0-and-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play, while Michigan falls to 2-2-and-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
Indiana now gets a full week to prepare for a major Big Ten showdown. The Hoosiers return to Bill Armstrong Stadium next Friday night to host defending national champion Washington at 7:30 Eastern.