INDIANAPOLIS - A handful of defensive lapses put the IUPUI men's soccer team in an early hole and the Jaguars never fully recovered as they lost by a 3-1 score to in-state foe Valparaiso on a rainy Tuesday night (Oct. 7) at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Freshman reserve Jacob Singer provided one of the Jaguars' few highlights in the second half as he netted his first career goal in the game's 74th minute to make it a one-goal game. However, Valpo immediately answered en route to the 3-1 win. 

Valpo (6-2-3) got goals from Jordan Aidoud, Matthew Gweh and Stian Sandbekkhaug and a pair of assists from Zev Taublieb in the win. Singer scored the Jaguars' (2-6-1) goal off an assist from sophomore midfielder Cristian Soto. 

IUPUI dug an early hole exactly 15 minutes into the match when freshman Antonio Juarez was called for a foul in the middle of the penalty area, leading to an Aidoud penalty kick opportunity. The VU attacker calmly placed a shot into the upper-right corner, easily eluding IUPUI goalie Eduardo Cortes. Less than five minutes later, the Jaguars found themselves in a two-goal deficit when a Taublieb played a well timed ball to Gweh who was making a hard run to the back post. The Jaguars' defensive backs thought Gweh was offsides and watched in stunned disbelief as Valpo's forward drilled a hard finish past Cortes inside the right post. 

Valpo's defense kept IUPUI at bay for much of the night and didn't allow a shot until Lance Davis hammered a free kick well high of target in the closing minutes of the first half. IUPUI ended the half with a somewhat promising opportunity as Emmanuel Usen and VU goalie Nico Campbell converged on a 50-50 ball at the same time, resulting in the ball flying well over the crossbar. Sophomore Evan Smith tried to whip the resulting corner kick into harm's way as the final seconds were counted down, but the horn sounded before the Jaguars' could mount an opportunity. 

IUPUI came out more spirited in the second half, eventually leading to Singer's goal just inside the right post. Soto played a long pass up the right side to Singer, who was able to settle the pass before hitting a shot off the outside of his foot and past Campbell. As the Jaguars seemingly had momentum, the energy was almost immediately sapped when Sandbekkhaug added insurance in the 77th minute. The Canadian forward received a pass near midfield and the Jaguars' defense froze, thinking he was offsides. With only Cortes and a defender to beat, Sandbekkhaug cut the ball back and slipped a shot past Cortes, who had come challenging off his back line. 

Valpo dominated play with an 18-4 shot advantage, led by Aidoud's seven attempts. Davis paced the Jaguars with two shot attempts. 

IUPUI will continue the three-game homestand on Saturday, Oct. 11 when the Jaguars host Eastern Illinois in Summit League action at noon at Carroll Stadium. All IUPUI home soccer matches this season are free and open to the public although standard university parking rates will apply.