IU Columbus’ Fabio Navarro heads the ball during a soccer match against St. Mary-of-the-Woods at the Richard Wigh Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A first-year IU Columbus men’s soccer program wasn’t expected to win many games in its debut season.
The Crimson Pride weren’t having any of that. With two games left in the regular season, they have a winning record, following Thursday night’s 6-1 River States Conference win against St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
“The guys have done what they can,” IUC coach Kevin Nolan said. “People didn’t think we were going to win a game, and we’ve got seven. We’re still not happy where we want to be, but it’s been a great first year so far.”
The Crimson Pride (7-6-1, 3-4-1) bounced back from their worst loss of the season, an 11-1 setback on Saturday at Rio Grande, which is ranked No. 7 in NAIA.
“We’re playing good soccer right now,” Nolan said. “We got our but whooped against Rio (Grande) last week, and I think it opened up everybody’s eyes, playing against a top team in the country like that. I think if we keep stringing a couple more games together, we’re going to peak at the right time, right before the playoffs.”
IUC jumped out early against the St. Mary-of-the-Woods (1-10-2, 1-5-1) on Thursday, with Kevin Cruz scoring in the third minute. The 1-0 score stayed that way until halftime.
The Crimson Pride made it 2-0 in the 55th minute on a goal by Hermon Rendon. The Pomeroys got on the board in the 61st minute to cut the lead in half.
IUC then got goals from Angel Roque in the 64th minute, Jon Michael Bright in the 69th minute, Columbus North graduate Alejandro “Pollo” Alvarez in the 74th minute and Drew Hassebroek in the 88th minute.
“It took us a little bit,” Nolan said. “We started off really hot, and then we kind of took our foot off the gas a little bit. We made some adjustments. I told them at halftime, if we don’t come out swinging in the second half and get on the board early again, then this is going to be a battle. The guys took the adjustment, they took the little critiques and they came out and did it.”
IUC outshot St. Mary-of-the-Woods 20-16, putting 13 shots on goal to 11 for the Pomeroys. Jacob Kasarda recorded 10 saves for the Crimson Pride.
“I think we played great tonight, probably one of our best performances,” Alvarez said. “We were trying to connect a lot. We had a lot of chemistry.”
Thursday’s game may have been the last home game of the season for IUC. The Crimson Pride are sixth in conference with games remaining Saturday at IU East at Eaton (Ohio) High School and Oct. 28 at Point Park in Pittsburgh. The top eight make the conference tournament, with the top four hosting an opening-round game.
“We had a rough beginning, but I think we’re getting there,” Alvarez said. “I’m looking forward to what we can do in the playoffs.”
