Indiana\u2019s men\u2019s soccer program is historically known for its defense. During the 2024 season, the Hoosiers boasted a stellar defense, conceding only 22 goals in 19 games on their way to a 10th consecutive Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last year, senior defender Jansen Miller and junior Quinton Elliot led the way for the Cream and Crimson\u2019s defense. Miller was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection<\/a>, while Elliot earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n With the departure of both Miller and Elliot, Indiana had some key holes to fill in its defense over the offseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n Backed by Head Coach Todd Yeagley and his recruiting staff, the Hoosiers were able to not only bring back key members of last year\u2019s defensive group but also bring new faces into the mix.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sophomore Maher returns to the Cream and Crimson\u00a0<\/p>\n As a freshman last year, Josh Maher started 20 matches for the Hoosiers. The Caseyville, Illinois, native made his collegiate debut on August 29, 2024, and assisted on a game-tying goal<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n Maher was a key factor in Indiana\u2019s co-Big Ten Championship run last season. He started all 20 games he appeared in, as well as assisting on three points. Maher was selected to the Big Ten All Freshman team<\/a> \u2013 being the third Maher brother selected to that list at Indiana.\u00a0<\/p>\n Maher looks to make his mark in his second season with Indiana this year, expected to feature primarily at center back.\u00a0<\/p>\n Transfer from the University of Virginia fills important hole in Indiana\u2019s roster\u00a0<\/p>\n With the graduation of Miller and the decision to go pro by Elliot despite his senior eligibility remaining, Indiana needed a left center back. The new addition of Victor Akoum<\/a> seems likely to fill that void. \u00a0<\/p>\n “We needed a left center back. Victor fills that,\u201d Yeagley said. \u201cHe had been a starter for the latter part of last year for a very good UVA team that made it to the Sweet 16.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The 6\u20193 Canadian scored his first career goal in a win over Syracuse University on October 19, 2024, as UVA won 3-0. The Cavaliers picked up five wins in Akoum\u2019s final eight starts of the year on their way to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Transfer from Penn fills another much-needed hole in the backline\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Indiana also picked up graduate student Ben Do in the transfer portal. \u00a0<\/p>\n Do, who played left-back for Penn last year, is considered a \u201cversatile\u201d player for the Hoosiers, who is presumably going to be included in their starting lineup.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBen is someone who we can plug in immediately on the left or right side of the field and be ready to play,\u201d Yeagley said. \u201cHe played at a very high level at Penn.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Do tallied 50 total matches played in his three-year career at Penn. After the 2022 season, Do was named the Philly Soccer 6 Rookie of the Year<\/a> and was an All-Ivy League honorable mention from 2022 to 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n He will slot into an Indiana starting lineup that should take defensive pressure off him. \u00a0<\/p>\n Minzey and Gaydosh make strides in the offseason\u00a0<\/p>\n Breckin Minzey, a redshirt junior, and Drew Gaydosh, a redshirt freshman, have both made significant progress in the offseason.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Minzey, who redshirted his freshman year in 2022 due to injury, scored one goal in 16 matches last year. However, he has looked \u201creally good\u201d leading up to the season, according to his head coach.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMinzey has made amazing strides in the last 12-18 months,\u201d Yeagley said. \u201cHe\u2019s one of our internal developing players.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n