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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The IUPUI men's soccer team opened up its 2010 preseason slate with a nail biting 2-1 win at Northern Kentucky on Sunday afternoon. Senior Derek Craig netted IUPUI's first goal on a penalty kick in the 35th minute and Perez Agaba tallied the eventual game-winner in the 58th minute on a rebound tally.

NKU finally got on the scoreboard in the 87th minute when Shawn Parker capitalized on a well placed cross by teammate Ryan Horn, cutting the lead in half. However, the Jaguars' defense thwarted a late free kick opportunity and drained the final ticks off the clock to escape victorious. NKU beat the Jaguars in the preseason a year ago and played Cincinnati to a 1-1 tie two days earlier. 

"It was an excellent preseason showing," IUPUI Head Coach Steve Franklin said. "We got a solid effort from Perez and Mason Cassady. Plus, our back line played a solid 90 minutes against a perennial top 20 team."

The goalkeeping duo of Tyler Keever and Alex Mannen benefited from the strong defensive effort, combining to need just two saves in the win. Keever blanked the Norse in the first half and a missed defensive mark contributed to the only blemish of the day. NKU outshot the Jaguars 11-9, despite Agaba alone getting off five shot attempts.  

IUPUI was the more aggressive team offensively in the opening 15 minutes, getting quality opportunities from Nate Ohmer and Agaba. The Jaguars finally broke through in the 35th minute when newcomer Galen Cassady drew a foul just inside the 18-yard box, setting up Craig's PK attempt. Craig hit a low liner easily into the open net as NKU goalie Michael Lavric guessed wrong on a diving save attempt. 

Like the first half, IUPUI came out on the attack in the second half and added insurance on Agaba's goal in the 58th minute. Agaba put an initial strike on frame that was stopped by an NKU defender. The rebound came free to Ohmer, who tapped it to an open Agaba for a volley goal.

"Perez's goal was a beauty," Franklin said. "It's usually a good sign when he gets that involved in the action." 

Trailing by two, NKU shifted its formation to dedicate more personnel to the attack down the stretch. The tactic proved fruitful in the 87th minute when Parker broke the shutout with his first preseason goal. 

On a day in which the temperatures climbed near ninety, Franklin used 22 different players and two rookies cracked the starting lineup. Chicago-native John Jordan got a start in the defensive third and transfer Joshio Sandoval was awarded a nod in the midfield.

IUPUI's preseason schedule will continue next Saturday when the Jaguars travel up I-69 to take on Detroit for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.