HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Another draw for the IUPUI men's soccer team came Wednesday night (Oct. 28) in Highland Heights, Ky. as the Jags played Northern Kentucky to a 2-2 result. The draw was IUPUI's sixth of the season as they move to 1-8-6 on the year. 

"NKU is a very good team," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "To be able to come here and get a result is not bad at all." 

The Jags opened the scoring in the 33rd minute as freshman Jared O'Dell found sophomore forward Emmanuel Usen in an attacking position. Usen fired a shot to the bottom right corner from about 15 yards. The score was Usen's second of the season and a much-needed offensive confidence boost heading into crucial conference play going forward. Usen played the entire 110 minutes. 

"Emmanuel scored a very good goal," Coach Jacob said. "That's certainly what he's capable of and we hope he can continue to get goals. He had other chances to finish too but we played him the whole game to try and get his endurance back up. We need his fitness to be great going forward." 

NKU didn't take long to respond as the Norse netted an equalizer in the 40th minute. NKU's Daniel Lahav converted a header off of a set piece from Calvin Murphy. The NKU cross came in from the left wing and Lahav headed the ball as far right as it could go without deflecting off the post. IUPUI senior keeper Eduardo Cortes made a valiant effort at a diving save but couldn't reach it. 

The Jags jumped back ahead 2-1 in the 57th minute on a freshman-to-freshman connection. An IUPUI corner found the head of Ben Thornton, knocking it back across to O'Dell who tallied the first goal of his IUPUI career.  

"Jared did a great job," Coach Jacob added. "All year, we continue to see freshmen step up. I'm very proud of all our freshmen and tonight was Jared's turn to step up."

It looked like the Jags would coast to a 2-1 win until late in the second half when NKU's Yaw Addai beat freshman substitute keeper Josh Gray on a rebound, knotting it up 2-2.

Cortes tallied four saves in the first half before Coach Jacob gave the nod to Gray. The move wasn't a benching for Cortes, but rather an opportunity for Gray to get some action in the Jags' final non-conference match of the season. Gray recorded two saves in the second half and overtime periods. 

"Josh (Gray) did a good job," Coach Jacob said. "He saved the first shot and then there was the rebound. It was a nationally televised game and we wanted to test him. We were proud of him. Again, he's able to learn from Eduardo (Cortes) and keep getting better. We're very strong at the goalkeeper position."

No goals in extra time resulted in the 2-2 draw. 

IUPUI continues to boost their offensive numbers in recent games as the Jags had their third game with multiple goals in the last five contests. 

The Jags will be on the road Sunday (Nov. 1) for a 2 p.m. date with Western Illinois. IUPUI finishes the season and conference play at home next Saturday (Nov. 7) for a 3 p.m. Senior Night meeting with Oral Roberts.