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The NCAA News -- December 21, 1998

Hoosiers net fourth soccer crown

Indiana won its fourth Division I Men's Soccer Championship by defeating Stanford, 3-1, on a cold, rainy day December 13 at Richmond.

Indiana also won crowns in 1988, 1983 and 1982. This was the Hoosiers' ninth trip to the title match.

In only the seventh minute of play, Yuri Lavrinenko served a pass to Dema Kovalenko, who blasted a perfect shot over Stanford goaltender Adam Zapala's reach to the upper-right corner of the net.

"Against a team like Stanford, you need to score first," said Indiana head coach Jerry Yeagley. "They are a very well-prepared and organized team, and it is important to get on the board first. It's crucial."

Lavrinenko and Kovalenko weren't done, however. Kovalenko sent a serve to Aleksey Korol, whose shot was deflected but rolled to the goal line. From there, Stanford's Lee Morrison tried to clear the ball but lost his balance in the wet turf. Lavrinenko then tapped the ball into the net.

Stanford posted its only score after a foul called against Indiana in its own box. The foul led to Simon Elliott's penalty kick, which went right while Hoosiers goalkeeper T. J. Hannig went left.

Korol capitalized on another opportunity in front of Stanford's goal when teammate Matt Fundenberger attempted a shot but had the ball dribble awkwardly off his foot. Korol picked it up and shot it passed Zapala, who had moved out of position to defend Fundenberger's attempt.

"I wish I could describe the feeling in words," Yeagley said of the victory. "It is very special that we were able to get back to Richmond and win it all this year."

Indiana (23-2) made its way to the championship match by dominating Santa Clara, 4-0, in the semifinals. Stanford (18-5-2) won its semifinal game against Maryland, 1-0.

Korol was the tournament's most outstanding offensive player while Indiana's Nick Garcia was named the most outstanding defensive player.

THIRD ROUND

Indiana 2, Clemson 1; Santa Clara 2, St. John's (N.Y.) 1; Maryland 3, Creighton 2; Stanford 3, Virginia 0.

SEMIFINALS

Santa Clara -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Indiana -- 2 -- 2 -- 4

First half: I -- Aleksey Korol (Dema Kovalenko), 20:19; I -- Nick Garcia (unassisted), 23:31.

Second half: I -- Korol (Gino DiGuardi, Andrew Parrish), 50:27; I -- Kovalenko (Parrish), 78:20.

Shots: Santa Clara 8, Indiana 14. Goalkeeper saves: Santa Clara (Dave Alexander) 5, Indiana (T. J. Hannig) 0. Corner kicks: Santa Clara 7, Indiana 3. Fouls: Santa Clara 10, Indiana 10. Attendance: 17,616.

Maryland -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Stanford -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

First half: S -- Lee Morrison (unassisted), 39:13.

Shots: Maryland 14, Stanford 8. Goalkeeper saves: Maryland (Christian Lewis) 3, Stanford (Adam Zapala) 3. Corner kicks: Maryland 8, Stanford 7. Fouls: Maryland 6, Stanford 8. Attendance: 17,616.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Stanford -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

Indiana -- 3 -- 0 -- 3

First half: I -- Dema Kovalenko (Yuri Lavrinenko), 6:54; I -- Lavrinenko (Kovalenko, Aleksey Korol), 19:09; S -- Simon Elliott (unassisted), 21:50; I -- Korol (Matt Fundenberger), 44:12.

Shots: Stanford 7, Indiana 10. Goalkeeper saves: Stanford (Adam Zapala) 2, Indiana (T. J. Hannig) 3. Corner kicks: Stanford 4, Indiana 3. Fouls: Stanford 12, Indiana 11. Attendance: 15,202.