‘Hounds play on amidst injuries
Freshman forward Bobby Adkins (2) passes to sophomore middle fielder Micah Uemura (8) during the ‘Hounds game against the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Sept. 6. UIndy tied 0-0 with the Tritons.
Konye Obaji Ori | Staff Writer
Despite injuries to key players, the University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team has kept a 4-5-2 record with the help of several underclassmen.
Head coach John Griffin introduced 10 freshmen to the team, and with a 2-3-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference record so far the team hopes to make the NCAA finals.
“We have had defensive problems, ball possession problems, and injury to key players. So right now, we want to get some of these issues solved before we can even think about the NCAA. But we are hopeful of making the NCAA,” said head coach John Griffin.
The ‘Hounds battled GLVC rival Lewis University on Oct. 4. UIndy suffered in overtime, losing 1-0 to the Flyers.
The team traveled to Wisconsin-Parkside to take on the Rangers in GLVC Conference play on Oct. 2. The ‘Hounds lost 6-2, with their only goals scored by senior Cory Barber and freshman Max Marsh.
The team recorded its fourth victory against St. Joseph’s College on Sept. 27, with goals from freshman Roger Lee and senior Cory Barber.
“We have five freshmen starting, and hopefully we will continue to score goals and concede less. They [the freshmen] have been outstanding, especially our top scorer, freshman Bobby Adkins, and our target player, [Roger] Lee,” Griffin said. “The team is a young team, and we are focused on doing well in the GLVC Conference.”
Adkins has so far emerged as the UIndy men’s soccer talisman, scoring eight goals in nine games, with Lee scoring four goals.
“It feels good to be topping the scoring chart as a freshman. Since the pre-season, I have worked hard and tried to prove myself to the coach to earn a spot on the team,” Adkins said. “I am actually amazed at what I have done so far. It is more than I expected.”
