Indiana men’s soccer was 2-3-4 in August and September. Little seemed to be going for the Hoosiers, and their streak of 37 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances appeared to be in jeopardy.

But that was before. Now it’s October – Indiana’s month.

Since 2021, the Hoosiers have a record of 17-4-5 in the month of October. And against No. 8 Wisconsin, they continued their winning streak. defeated the Badgers 3-2 on the way to securing the crucial three points.

With a record of 2-1-1 in the Big Ten, Indiana scored four points on the road against its two toughest opponents, Wisconsin and Ohio State. But the challenging phase of the games isn’t over yet – it’s just beginning.

Friday’s game features Washington, a newcomer to the revamped Big Ten in 2024. The Hoosiers have an overall record of 4-2 in series history, but they have not defeated the Huskies since 2001.

Last season, the teams met in Bloomington for the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic, with Washington earning a 1-0 victory. This time the game will be far more consequential as both teams fight for three points in a packed Big Ten Conference.

“It’s a big, big game,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said Thursday. “They will always be a team in the Big Ten that brings a lot of quality, and at the same time, in my opinion, they are a team that will always be in the hunt for the top group in the Big 10.”

Indiana struggled to find the back of the net early in the year. Seven goals was the second-worst tally in eight games in over a decade, only better than last season’s six goals.

But against their toughest competitors, the Hoosiers played at the level of two top-10 opponents and scored four points in the process.

One reaction to this drastic change in scoring chances might be to attribute it to luck. Indiana’s second goal against the Buckeyes came from a deflection that fell at the feet of senior forward Tommy Mihalic, who just had to pass the ball into the open net. Against the Badgers, second-year forward Collins Oduro scored the first goal, thanks in part to a deflection from a Badger defender.

However, Yeagley disagrees. He has repeatedly pointed out that his team must maintain composure on the final pass while finding the right “stick” to take advantage of opportunities – one that is not too hard and not too soft.

With his attitude, the two goals against Ohio State and Wisconsin were not just luck, but expected results of positive changes in the game.

Mihalic’s finish only came about because Oduro calmly found senior striker Sam Sarver at the top of the 18-yard box, whose shot then bounced inside the box and hit Mihalic. And in Oduro’s goal against the Badgers, it was a quiet finish rather than a well-aimed shot that caused the deflection that led to the ball finding the back of the net.

Sophomore left guard Alex Barger started every game last season on a squad that won the Big Ten Double. But with the emergence of redshirt sophomore defensive back Breckin Minzey, Barger’s position isn’t a guarantee every game.

After Barger started five games to start the year, Yeagley inserted Minzey into the rotation and he started the next four games. But an injury against Ohio State forced Barger back into the lineup, and after a solid performance against Wisconsin, Yeagley’s now established the rotation as a week-by-week decision.

“They both did well,” Yeagley said. “We’re thinking about what we’re going to do here on Friday, but yeah, they’re both playing well and we need that. “You need the depth in defense and we’re confident they can both do the job.”

As the fullback continued to adapt, Yeagley relied on the versatility of junior transfer Quinton Elliot. Elliot comes from the University of Louisville and has started every game this season, although not always in the same position.

With Barger on his typical left side of defense, Elliot played on the right side. But when the less experienced Minzey got the nod, Elliot slipped seamlessly into the left-back position.

Providing both a threat in attack and a steady presence in defense, Elliot was a “fun coach” to Yeagley while also being a great addition to the team.

“He was a great addition,” Yeagley said. “There is still a lot ahead of him. He has a great future.”

Washington began the season with three top-25 games, coming away with a win, a draw and a loss. Barring a loss to Michigan State, the Huskies have not stumbled yet as Big Ten play has begun and secured a win over then-No. 20 Northwestern and ties against then-No. 22 Michigan and No. 8 Wisconsin.

Goals are commonplace in Washington games, but they rarely come in large quantities. There have never been more than four goals scored in any Huskies game, and prior to the 0-0 draw against the Badgers, no game had remained goalless.

Washington’s scoring output is spread across the team as nine players scored but only two scored more than one goal. Senior midfielder Chris Meyers has yet to score, but his five assists lead the team.

Kickoff is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Coverage will be available on Big Ten+.