INDIANAPOLIS - In a battle of conference unbeatens, the IUPUI men's soccer team scored twice in a 28 second span in the first half to help race past UMKC, 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Kuntz Stadium.
Senior Vangel Nacovski and sophomore Eric Weigman both had a goal and an assist as the Jaguars (4-7-1, 2-0-0 Summit League) improved to 3-0 on the season at Kuntz Stadium.
"Today is a huge confidence builder," IUPUI head coach Steve Franklin said. "I don't know if we've ever been 2-0 in conference play, so that's a first."
Nacovski put IUPUI on the board on a penalty kick just over 20 minutes into the match. The IUPUI attack got deep into the UMKC box before Kyle Brewer was whistled for a hand ball, allowing Nacovski to score his fourth goal of the season.
Moments later, the IUPUI offense got going again as Louie Leger scored for the second time in as many matches. Redshirt freshman Sol Caceres carried the ball up the right hand side before slotting a short lead pass to Weigman.
Weigman put the shot on net as it deflected off the inside of the right post. Leger was there for the rebound, tapping it home from point blank range for his second game-winner in as many matches.
"Sol Caceres was by far the man of the match," Franklin said. "He gave our play some flow today. He was able to sit in the middle of the park, distribute the ball and help us with possession.
"It was by far his best college game."
UMKC took advantage of some tired IUPUI legs to start the second half, nearly putting a ball in the net in the 47th minute. On a corner kick, it appeared as though John Bayron Sosa made it 2-1 but it was ruled that he used his arm to get the redirect past IUPUI goalkeeper David Barszczowski.
The Kangaroos (5-5-1, 1-1-0 Summit League) did make it 2-1 in the 54th minute when Ali Dorri flared a restart over the IUPUI defensive wall and into the upper right corner for his second goal of the year.
IUPUI regained its composure, and a substantial lead, just over three minutes later though. Weigman bullied his way up the far sideline before cutting in towards the left post. The crafty sophomore's shot glanced off UMKC goalkeeper Brandon Amaya before squirting just over the end line.
Nacovski set up the game's final goal in the 73rd minute when he rolled a cross through the six-yard box, finding freshman Weston Hawkins on the scoring end for his second career goal.
Despite being outshot 15-11, the Jaguars scored on four of the team's seven shots on goal. Amaya and starting goalkeeper Ken Cooper combined to make just three saves.
"We needed to get an early lead and take care of business from there," Franklin said. "The effects from the Marian College match really took its toll after 30 minutes. We expended a lot of energy both mentally and physically in that match."
Less than two days before, IUPUI needed two overtimes to beat Marian at The Stadium.
"The Heidaris were hunched over, Adrian Conrad was hunched over," Franklin said. "And UMKC is a tough team for us. They're physical and we've always had problems with them."
The Jaguars will remain in Summit League play when they next play on Oct. 20 at Western Illinois.
