Box Score I Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The IUPUI men's soccer team got another strong effort from freshman Eduardo Cortes and a timely goal from fellow rookie Michael Sass as the Jaguars played Western Michigan to a 1-1 tie at the WMU Soccer Complex on Tuesday (Sept. 25). The tie was the first blemish against the Broncos at home this season and kept the Jaguars unbeaten against WMU in four straight matchups.

"I am disappointed that we didn't get the win on the road," IUPUI head coach Isang Jacob said. "I thought we played well under the circumstances and got a result on the road against a strong team at home. They have beaten good teams, including a top 25 team. Our guys continue to look for goals after they scored.

WMU (7-2-1) went on top in the 42nd minute after reigning MAC Player of the Week Shane Lyons netted a penalty kick score. Lyons setup the PK opportunity, getting in behind the defense before he put a shot on frame against Cortes. The Texas-native made the initial stop, but was unable to maintain possession of the ball as it rolled free in front of the empty net. An IUPUI defender pulled Lyons to the ground as he pursued the loose ball, resulting in the Jaguars yielding their fourth PK of the season.  

The Broncos maintained the lead until the Jaguars finally broke through in the 73rd minute. Senior Kyle Hyland, who came in ranked among the top five in the country in goals scored, played the role of distributor on this occasion. Hyland served a left-footed corner kick to the back side, where the 6-foot-7 Sass settled the ball on the ground before blazing a shot off the post and into the net.

"Sass came through for us with a nice shot on the ground," Jacob said. "He played well today and I was glad to see him get another goal."

After being outshot 15-1 in the first half, IUPUI put the heat on in the second stanza and nearly got the game-winner off the foot of Tyler Thatcher in the 87th minute. The senior drilled a strike on frame, only to see WMU goalie Sean Lewis move to his left to make one of his three saves on the day.

Cortes was much busier at the other end of the field where he faced 23 shots and made nine stops. Among Cortes' highlights was an incredible save of a Jason Grant attempt in the match's first five minutes. Marco Lobo led the Broncos with six shot attempts while Hyland and Michigan-native Ryan Robinson had three each for the Jaguars.

IUPUI will return to action on Saturday (Sept. 29) when the Jaguars head west to play The Summit League's newest member, Omaha, at 2:00 p.m.. The match will pit Jacob against UNO head coach Jason Mims, who were both on staff together at Penn State prior to both getting their first Division I head coaching jobs.