MACOMB, Ill. - The IUPUI men's soccer team fell behind 2-0 early before nearly mounting a comeback against Western Illinois on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 1). The Jags lost by a score of 2-1 as they move to 1-9-6 (1-3-2) on the season with one game left. IUPUI needs a win in their final game and a combination of results across Summit League play in order to reach the postseason.

"It's unfortunate for our two seniors because they gave it their all," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "We're not out but it's going to be tough going forward." 

Western Illinois struck first early in the contest as the Leathernecks' Diego Lopez netted the first goal of the game in the 17th minute. Lopez got in behind the defense and had a one-on-one with IUPUI keeper Eduardo Cortes, beating Cortes to the lower left corner. 

A few minutes later, WIU increased the gap as Drew Whalen converted a header off of a cross in the 24th minute as the Jags fell behind 2-0. 

IUPUI junior Cristian Soto was active offensively in the first half. On Soto's second opportunity of the game (39'), he ripped a shot upper left from the 18-yard stripe for his third goal of the season, cutting the WIU lead to 2-1. 

Soto continued peppering the goal early in the second half as he saw two more opportunities sail just wide. 

"We had the momentum after we scored," Coach Jacob said. "We were doing a great job getting opportunities in the second half. We just needed to finish." 

As the Jags continued to stay aggressive, things got a little chippy down the stretch. Back-to-back fouls on WIU led to a conversation with the officials from a WIU coach, resulting in a team yellow card. Moments later, IUPUI sophomore Jacob Singer received his second yellow card (54'), causing the Jags to play a man down for the final half hour. 

"It's difficult when the team you're playing is fighting to get into the tournament and you have to play a man down," Coach Jacob said. "You have to make several changes and adjustments and you have to want it more." 

Senior Clint Hoffar got a pair of opportunities early in the second half as well. On back-to-back plays, Hoffar took one shot that was saved by the WIU keeper before watching a header ding off the crossbar. 

In the final few minutes, a pair of opportunities by sophomore Emmanuel Usen and Soto sailed wide as well. 

The Jags will play Saturday at Michael A. Carroll Stadium for a Senior Night meeting with Oral Roberts at 3 p.m. With five points in the Summit League table, IUPUI needs a win on Saturday to get to eight points, and a pair of losses by Fort Wayne and Omaha, to reach the Summit League tournament.