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INDIANAPOLIS - Despite a strong outing from sophomore goalie Christian Lomeli, the IUPUI men's soccer team fell short against crosstown rival Butler on Wednesday (Sept. 3) night at the Butler Bowl, 1-0. The loss dropped the Jaguars to 0-2 to start the season while the host Bulldogs improved to 2-0-1. 

"Butler is a very good team. I have to give them credit and our guys played well. Again, I don't believe in moral victories, but I think we came out and gave up a very good effort today," IUPUI Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "We had our chances but it just didn't go our way. They had a good chance and they finished. Credit to Butler, I think they're going to do a very good job in the BIG EAST."

Butler took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half when Zach Steinberger slid a pass to David Goldsmith, who finished from 14 yards out. Lomeli was out of the picture as the defense was drawn towards Steinberger on the play and failed to track Goldsmith, moving to his right. 

IUPUI had two quality scoring chances late in the first half, the first being an Emmanuel Usen header that went just left of target after Lance Davis crossed a ball in from the right side. Moments later, the Jaguars had a free kick from 25 yards out, but Harold Agyeman-Prempeh's initial attempt went off Butler's defensive wall and Jacob Singer's rebound attempt was well wide of frame. 

The Jaguars came out more aggressive to start the second half, getting a quality drive from freshman Joshua Ayala in the 52nd minute, causing Butler goalie Eric Dick to make his lone save of the night. As the match opened up, both sides found counterattack opportunities as the night progressed. Lomeli made a highlight reel stop of a Jeff Adkins attempt in the 62nd minute and snuffed out an A.R. Smith try in the 71st minute to keep the Jaguars in the match. All total, Lomeli finished with a career-high seven saves in his fourth collegiate start. 

"Christian did fabulously well," Jacob said. "Like I told them at the beginning of the season, we have three No. 1 goalkeepers. Anyone of them can step in any time on any day. That just goes to tell you the strength of our goalkeeping situation." 

The Jaguars struggled to get touches in the attacking third down the stretch, but Jonny Williams was in the middle of two good builds late in the match. On the first, Davis centered a pass towards Williams, who came up just short of being able to put a header on frame. Later, it was Williams who sent a left-footed cross in the direction of Ryan Olans, who was unable to direct a shot towards the BU goal. 

Usen led the IUPUI attack with two shot attempts while Adkins led all players with four shots. Butler closed the night with a definitive 15-6 edge on corner kicks and 8-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Bulldogs also enjoyed a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks, seven of which came in the second half. 

IUPUI dropped to 2-11-2 all-time against Butler and 0-7-2 in the nine road meetings. 

The Jaguars will continue the non-conference slate on Sunday (Sept. 7) when they travel to Dayton, Ohio to take on Wright State at the Rinzler Student Sports Complex at 5:00 p.m..