DAYTON, Ohio - Despite striking first, the IUPUI men's soccer team yielded three second half goals in a 4-1 loss at Wright State on Monday night. Sophomore Eric Weigman was IUPUI's lone bright spot on the evening, netting his third goal of the season.
"It was an ugly game," IUPUI head coach Steve Franklin said. "We didn't do many things right tonight. It was just a very uninspired effort.
"For those that thought Saturday's game was boring - that was an Oscar award winner compared to tonight."
Weigman got the Jaguars started on the right foot though, giving IUPUI a 1-0 lead in the game's 19th minute. The hard working IUPUI front runner teamed with fellow sophomore Justin Darvish to work around Wright State goalkeeper Tebias Mason before rolling a shot to the far post of the empty net.
Unfortunately, it was mostly downhill from there for IUPUI (6-10-1) on a cold, windy evening.
"We got outshot 15-4 and Wiggy took three of our shots," Franklin said. "Everyone else was basically nonexistent tonight."
WSU (7-12-0) pulled even in the 25th minute when Carl Ebers took advantage of a free kick from 20 yards out. The Jaguars were whistled for an unnecessary foul at the top of the 18-yard box, giving the Raiders the golden opportunity. On the free kick, the Jaguars' defensive wall leapt simultaneously, allowing Ebers to slot the ball past junior goalkeeper David Barszczowski
The match remained tied until the hosts ripped off a flurry of goals late in the match.
With 17:57 left to play, Brian Cothern scored the game-winner, thanks to a feed from Kwaku Gyimah. Sixteen seconds later, Braden Fleak was able to chip a shot over senior goalkeeper Peter Brasovan to make it 3-1.
Josh Grossman added insurance in the 81st minute by lacing a shot from the top of the 18 to the far post.
Mason needed just three saves in the victory while Barszczowski and Brasovan combined to make three stops. Fleak led all players with four shot attempts.
IUPUI will conclude its regular season on Friday at Michael A. Carroll Stadium as the Jaguars host IPFW on Senior Night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the on-campus facility.
