Box Score I Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf) I Photo Gallery I Video Highlights I Isang Jacob Postgame I Christian Soto Postgame

INDIANAPOLIS - Despite falling behind 2-0 in the first 55 minutes, the IUPUI men's soccer team rallied for a 2-2 double overtime draw against crosstown rival Butler in the Jaguars' home opener on Tuesday (Sept. 3) night. Sophomore Lance Davis and freshman Jonny Williams electrified the crowd of 1,412 fans, scoring in the 60th and 81st minutes, respectively. 

"We lost the first half - that's a fact. They outplayed us, they were a better team and you have to give Butler respect," IUPUI Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "I think when you have six freshmen on the field, the jitters kind of get in there.

"We came out in the second half, knowing what he know how to do. Keep the ball and penetrate when we're able and that's what we did."

IUPUI trailed 1-0 at the break after Butler's Austin Oldham redirected a header past sophomore goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes in the game's 11th minute, thanks to a driven cross from Jeff Adkins. 

However, IUPUI (0-0-2) had a pair of good looks in the first half including a highlight reel diving header try by Ian Block in the 19th minute that went just wide of the right post. Late in the half, Davis rolled an angled shot past BU (1-0-1) goalkeeper Jon Dawson, but saw it bend just beyond the far post. 

In the final minute of the first half, Block had another header chance roll just wide of the left post after Davis had built the play with a right-footed cross. 

Only down a goal, Butler completely quieted the raucous Jaguar faithful in the 55th minute when Adkins rolled in a shot from 14 yards out to build the 2-0 lead. 

"We're better than that," Jacob said of his team after falling behind 2-0. "We just needed to take care of our responsibilities. We were not patient at all. We were chasing that (first) goal and we can't do that. When you do that, you leave something open."

Things looked bleak at that juncture as IUPUI had played nearly 350 minutes of scoreless soccer, including the two preseason matches this season. However, rather than panic, the Jaguars stayed the course and immediately cut the lead in half on a Davis effort. Senior Gregory Efiom had an initial shot stuffed, but the ball came free to Davis just beyond the 18-yard box. The Indiana-transfer blasted a left-footed drive, bending the shot just inside the left post to make it 2-1. 

With momentum on its side, IUPUI finally pulled even in the 81st minute on a brilliant finish by Williams. Freshman Cristian Soto played a perfect lead pass to the Ohio-native, who had gotten in behind the Bulldogs' last line of defense. Williams ripped a shot off the underside of the crossbar and just over the endline for the equalizer. 

"I saw him run, so I just lobbed it in there," Soto said of Williams' goal. "So when he scored it, I just started celebrating with my teammates because it was a great finish by Jonny. It was all Jonny, Jonny finished it."

Both teams had chances for the golden goal in the second overtime period before the game ended in a draw. 

With just under seven minutes left, Soto rifled a drive off the right post and Block was unable to get a finishing touch when the ball popped free to him. Moments later, BU's Austin Oldham was free on a short run to the far post, but saw hit shot fly over the crossbar as Cortes took away his shooting angle. 

The two teams combined for 46 shot attempts with Butler outshooting the Jaguars 27-19. 

"It's stressful for us coaches but it's fun for the fans," Jacob said. "(The players) are trying to give us stress. But you know what, it's a fun game."

IUPUI moved to 2-10-3 all-time against Butler and 2-8-3 in the program's Division I era. The Jaguars are 5-2-1 at home since returning to Carroll Stadium last season. 

The Jaguars will return to action this weekend with a two-game trip to Virginia to face off against a pair of Big South foes. IUPUI will take on Liberty on Friday (Sept. 6) in Lynchburg, Va., at 6:00 p.m.. The trip will conclude with a match at Longwood on Sunday (Sept. 8), set to kickoff at 11:00 a.m. in Farmville, Va..