Uriel Macias Postgame I Isang Jacob Postgame

INDIANAPOLIS - Freshman Uriel Macias scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 65th minute, as the IUPUI men's soccer team secured a pivotal 2-1 win over Eastern Illinois at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 11). Fellow freshman Emmanuel Usen assisted on both goals while a third freshman, Joshua Ayala, also assisted on the game-winner. Junior goalie Eduardo Cortes earned the win in goal, yielding just one score while making six stops.

Eastern Illinois (2-7-1, 0-2-1 Summit) just missed opening the scoring in the 14th minute when Spencer Filosa pinged a shot off the left post from 25 yards out after IUPUI (3-6-1, 1-1) had dominated possession early.

The Jaguars finally broke the ice, thanks to an impressive combination from Macias and Usen. Macias played a ball in to Usen, who skated past a defender on the left side before having his initial drive knocked down by EIU goalkeeper Mike Novotny. The rebound came loose on the right side and Macias, who had followed the play, was first to the ball. He drilled a low liner just inside the right post through a collection of retreating EIU defenders.

IUPUI looked primed to take a lead to the locker room, but Eastern tied the game with 39 seconds left before the break. Dominic Recca sent the ball forward and the Panthers caught a break when Clint Hoffar fell down on the play, leading to a breakaway. Tyler Oliver took the pass and had a clean shooting angle, but opted to center a pass to Victor Krogmann, who had an easy finish in close.

IUPUI opened the second half primed to regain the lead, getting a quick strike from Jonny Williams that was cleared off the back line by an EIU defender in the 47th minute. Later, Usen had an apparent goal negated due to a foul call, just moments before Macias netted the game-winner.

On the winner, Ayala directed a pass to Usen, who opted to slide a pass out wide to Macias. Macias blasted a shot from distance, only to see Novotny deflect the ball high in the air. However, the ball bounced off the turf and in the direction of the goal before tucking securely inside the right post for his second score of the game and fifth tally of the year.

The Jags kept the heat on, but Usen had another apparent goal called off, this time due to an offsides call. Hoffar sent a long throw-in to Williams, who's header rang off the right post. Usen seemed to bang home the rebound, but was ruled to be in an offsides position.

Clinging to a one-goal lead, Cortes made a game saving stop in the 83rd minute, going to the ground to stave off a Tayron Martin attempt.

IUPUI finished with a 21-17 shot advantage, putting eight tries on target. Both Macias and Williams had five attempts each while Filosa led EIU with four attempts.

IUPUI will cap the three-game homestand on Wednesday, Oct. 15 when they host the University of Cincinnati at 7:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium. Admission is free of charge, although standard university parking rates will apply.