Junior goalkeeper Alex Ivanov patrols the penalty box during a match against Wright State Sept. 17 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The teams tied 0-0. Ivanov received a red card against the Raiders, and cannot play against Dayton.
Credit: Shelby Lum / Photo editor
The Ohio State men’s soccer team (2-2-2) is looking to bounce back Friday when the Dayton Flyers (5-0) come to Columbus.
The Buckeyes’ last two matches ended in scoreless shutouts, and the team will be looking to capture a win without starting junior goalkeeper Alex Ivanov. Ivanov cannot play against the Flyers after being shown a red card in Tuesday’s match with Wright State.
Stepping in for Ivanov is fellow junior goalkeeper Andrian McAdams.
McAdams, who finished Tuesday’s match in relief of Ivanov, will be making his first start since the Buckeyes exhibition match against Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne Aug. 20. McAdams said he will be ready for the challenge.
“(I’ll prepare) the same way I’ve been preparing,” McAdams said. “I’ve been around for a while. When the moment comes, you’re not expecting it, but you always have to be ready.”
The young Buckeye team is looking to find the back of the net against the Flyers after two straight matches without a goal. This is the first time since 2000 OSU has played to consecutive scoreless draws.
Freshman midfielder Christian Soldat, who recorded two shots on goal against the Raiders, said he thinks the team is close to finding a way to get the ball between the posts.
“(Tuesday’s game) was good despite the tie,” Soldat said. “The effort is going to continue to roll, and we’ll start racking up wins.”
In its first five games, Dayton outscored its opponents 14-3. The Flyers have not allowed a goal in their last three contests, but neither has OSU.
“(Tuesday night) was our third-straight shutout, so that’s a good thing for this group of players,” Buckeye coach John Bluem said. “If you are able to defend well, you are in every game.”
Bluem said despite Ivanov being out for the match, the team’s spirits will not be down and the squad will continue to attack.
“We’ll pick up the spirits of our guys, after the red card, for Friday’s game,” he said. “I think we do have good attacking players we’re just not quite in sync yet.”
Friday night’s match will be held in Jesse Owen’s Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. and will be OSU’s third-straight match versus an in-state opponent. OSU then travels north to take on No. 15 Akron Sept. 24 in its final game before Big Ten Conference play.
