Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - IUPUI men's soccer freshman Tyler Keever recorded a career-high eight saves as the Jaguars recorded a 0-0 tie with visiting Xavier at Kuntz Stadium on Wednesday night. The IUPUI attack managed just one shot on goal and was outshot 23-19 on the evening. 

Last year, Xavier blasted the Jaguars 5-0 in Cincinnati. 

"We've got to put things in perspective here, we changed a 5-0 defeat last year into a 0-0 draw this year," IUPUI Head Coach Steve Franklin said. "Xavier is by far a better team than the record they brought in here would indicate."

While the run of play was seemingly even, Xavier (0-7-1) had, by far, the better looks at the net. Tommy Clines had a header ring off the crossbar in the 32nd minute of the match and Brandon Bucher nearly scored on a strange play in the 43rd minute. 

An IUPUI (3-3-2) defender attempted to clear the ball but Bucher ran through the ball, rifling it off the right post and back on the field. From there, the Jaguars were able to clear the zone. 

IUPUI's best look in regulation came in the 37th minute when Dan Heidari put a diving header on frame after the ball was served inside the box. XU goalkeeper Adam Sokolowski made his lone save of the evening on the play. 

After Xavier dominated the first overtime, the Jaguars were the more dangerous team in the second extra session. Franklin's squad got two looks among a scrum in the closing minutes, capped by Tyler Fritcha's drive from distance. 

The Jaguars got half of their six corner kicks in the final 10 minutes and outshot the Musketeers 3-2 in the final period.  

"We dodged a bullet tonight. We played an angry team that is frustrated," Franklin said. "When you play frustrated teams, they'll do anything to get that first win."

James Getzen and Jake Vollmer led all players with four shot attempts and Eric Weigman led IUPUI with three. Keever stonewalled XU from point blank range on more than one occasion en route to his first collegiate shutout and second win. 

"I think Keever had a good game," Franklin said. "That's the first thing (Xavier Head Coach) Dave Schureck said, your keeper played a fantastic game, and he did." 

Franklin huddled his team for an extended period following the match in an effort to get a message across.

"I think our biggest demon tonight was our mental discipline," Franklin said. "We made a tremendous amount of mental errors on the field as far as decisions on the ball, not being in the right spot, people not being in the right spots.

"Maybe this will be a wake-up call with Centenary coming up."

IUPUI's three-game homestand continues on Sunday when IUPUI opens Summit League play with the Gents from Centenary College. As part of a "2 for 2" promotion, fans can see that and the women's match with North Dakota State for just $2 on Sunday. Like always, IUPUI students are admitted for free with a valid JagTag.