The No. 2 ranked Hoosiers took down the defending national champion Washington Huskies 1-0 on Sept. 18 thanks to an early first half goal by Easton Bogard, his fourth of the season. However, this one was a big night for the backline.
The Huskies sent 19 shots (8 on goal) at the Hoosiers defense but nothing seemed to faze them.
“Our group didn’t look rattled,” head coach Todd Yeagley said. “There was a good composure about them, and I think they’re getting confident in their ability to handle teams of that nature.”
That confidence certainly has been building all season.
Through eight matches, Indiana has relied on the same back five: goalkeeper Michal Mroz and defenders Alex Barger, Josh Maher, Nick McHenry and Nolan Kinsella. The group has started every match this season, helping the Hoosiers hold their opponents to only three goals while recording five clean sheets.
They already have as many shutouts as they did in all of 2025. Mroz has started every minute for his team this season, posting a 0.38 goals-against average and an .875 save percentage.
Those numbers extend beyond Mroz as opponents have managed 75 total shots through eight matches, with only 25 being on goal. The Hoosiers have also yet to concede a goal in the first half this season.
However this defensive unit had its work cut out for them against Washington. Coming into Bloomington the Huskies were averaging a Big Ten high of 3.1 goals per game. Indiana would be the first team to keep them scoreless this season.
Mroz finished with a season-best eight saves, while the defense locked up Washington’s biggest threat, Zach Ramsey, from putting a single shot on goal.
For Bogard, who netted his fourth of the season Friday night, this match was just another showing of the trust the Hoosiers have in the group behind them.
“We harp on defense so much, and if anyone’s gonna shut them out, I back our boys to do it,” Bogard said.
The Hoosiers have continued to trust their defense and they've shown great results. They are currently 7-0-2 this season and no team has scored more than one goal against them.
Having the same five players playing back every game has allowed them to build chemistry. Which has made Indiana one of the hardest teams to score on this season.
However, the road does not get easier. After drawing against the No. 12-ranked Wisconsin Badgers 1-1 in Madison, Indiana comes home to host the Penn State Nittany Lions for their fourth conference game of the season.
