Washington looks to extend conference lead while Hoosiers seek bounce-back win
SEATTLE – Washington men's soccer welcomes No. 12 Indiana to Husky Soccer Stadium on Friday night in what shapes up as one of the weekend's most compelling Big Ten matchups.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with the match airing on Big Ten Network.
The Huskies enter riding momentum from consecutive conference road victories, sitting atop the Big Ten standings with nine points through four matches. Indiana arrives carrying a 7-2-1 overall record but searching for consistency after splitting their last four conference games.
Offensive Firepower on Display
Washington's attack has been among the nation's most productive this fall. The Huskies rank fourth nationally with 26 goals scored and have three players – Zach Ramsey (13 points), Richie Aman (12 points), and Charlie Kosakoff (10 points) – ranking among the Big Ten's top six scorers.
Indiana counters with Palmer Ault, who leads the entire conference with eight goals and 19 points. The senior forward sits just one goal shy of 30 for his career and two points from reaching 75. In last week's 4-2 victory over UCLA, the Hoosiers exploded for three goals in the opening 19 minutes while piling up 27 total shots.
The Hoosiers present one of the conference's most dangerous attacks when firing on all cylinders.
Recent Form Favors Washington
The Huskies completed a perfect Big Ten road swing last week, shutting out Wisconsin 2-0 before edging Northwestern 1-0. Aman and defender Harrison Bertos earned conference weekly honors for their performances during the trip.
At Northwestern, Bertos not only scored the game-winner but made two critical goal-line clearances. Goalkeeper Levi Bieber recorded four saves in the shutout, his third clean sheet in five starts.
Indiana rebounded from back-to-back conference losses to Michigan (3-2) and Michigan State (1-0) by dominating UCLA at home. The Hoosiers added a fourth goal in stoppage time to cap the scoring.
History and Storylines
The programs battled to a 2-2 draw in Bloomington last October in their first meeting as Big Ten opponents. Aman's 81st-minute strike salvaged a point for Washington after Quinton Elliot had given Indiana a 2-1 lead.
Friday's contest also marks DP Night at Husky Soccer Stadium, honoring former Husky Daniel Phelps and raising awareness for sudden cardiac arrest.
Washington has been dominant at home in recent years and enters having won six of its last seven matches on Montlake. Indiana, meanwhile, carries an impressive 315-56-41 (.814) all-time record in October games.
Key Matchups
The duel between Ault and Washington's back line figures prominently. Bertos has been steady all season, helping the Huskies to top-50 national marks in goals against average.
Aman's playmaking ability – he leads the Big Ten with seven assists – will test an Indiana defense that has conceded just 11 goals in 10 matches.
Alex Hall has emerged as a key distributor for Washington with five assists, ranking third in the conference. His chemistry with Ramsey has been particularly effective, with Hall providing the setup on multiple occasions for Ramsey's team-leading five goals.
Looking Ahead
For Washington, extending their conference lead would mark a significant statement in their second year as a Big Ten member. The Huskies were picked fifth in the preseason poll but have outperformed expectations through the season's first two months.
Indiana needs to rediscover the form that carried them to a 5-0-1 start. Head coach Todd Yeagley's squad has the talent to challenge for the conference title, but back-to-back league wins are essential to stay in the hunt.
Both teams harbor NCAA Tournament aspirations. Washington advanced to the second round last year, while Indiana's tradition includes eight national championships, the most recent coming in 2012.