PDL Feature
Thursday, September 26, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – After being ranked No. 1 in the preseason, the University of Indiana has taken a precipitous fall out of the rankings after struggling in non-conference play. The Hoosiers will try to turn things around on Sunday, with the help of some Chicago Fire PDL alumni, as they open conference play with a visit from Ohio State that can be seen on the Big Ten Network at 3 p.m. ET.
The Hoosiers, who began the week with a record of 3-3-1, will look for strong performances from former Chicago Fire PDL forward Jacob Bushue, who is tied for the team lead with six points and two goals. Fellow Fire PDL players Dylan Mares, Harrison Petts and Patrick Doody will also be expected to step up after recording in a goal and an assist apiece in the Hoosiers’ opening seven contests.
The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have received key minutes from VSI Tampa Bay FC’s Alex Harrison, with the English senior having chipped in a goal in his seven appearances this season after appearing 10 times for VSI this summer. Joining Harrison in the Buckeyes defense has been Mississippi Brilla defender Alex Bujenovic, who made 10 appearances for the Brilla before returning to Columbus.
The weekend’s other televised action comes from the west coast, where Stanford visits UC Santa Barbara for a non-conference clash on NSCAATV.com at 10 p.m. ET on Friday night. Both teams contain players from the Ventura County Fusion, with the Matadors being currently led by Achille Campion with three goals and one assist. Former Chicago Fire PDL midfielder Goffin Boyoko also has three goals for UCSB.
Stanford, meanwhile, is led by the Fusion’s JJ Koval, who has a pair of goals in six appearances for the Cardinal this fall. Fellow Fusion player Brandon Vincent has started all six of the Cardinal’s contests this fall, and has been joined in the side’s defense by the Sounders FC U23’s Aaron Kovar, who has recorded a pair of assists in his sophomore season.