INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI men's soccer team closed out the season with a 2-2 draw in double overtime with Oral Roberts on Saturday (Nov. 7) for the Jags' Senior Day. IUPUI (1-9-7) clawed back from a 2-0 halftime deficit. 

"When we went back into the locker room we talked about finishing our chances," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "I wanted them to get a win for Eduardo and Clint, for all the work they've done. Don't let their last memory be a loss on this field." 

IUPUI recognized seniors Clint Hoffar and Eduardo Cortes following Saturday's game. Coaches thanked the senior duo by presenting them with jerseys to remember their time as Jaguars. Hoffar had an assist and a goal in his final game. 

"With Clint, that's the effort that he's given since the day he walked into this program," Coach Jacob added. "He didn't want his last game here to be a loss. That's the kind of captain that he is. That's the kind of leader that he is."

"Eduardo was who he is today. His distribution led to one of our set pieces that led to a goal. He's given 110 percent in every game. He's one of the best goalkeepers in the country and I hope somebody gives him a chance at the next level." 

A victory by Omaha over Eastern Illinois in Saturday morning Summit League play officially eliminated the Jags from the postseason prior to Saturday's afternoon match. 

Oral Roberts (6-6-4) jumped on top early as the Golden Eagles scored goals in the 14th and 15th minutes. The first goal came from ORU's Edgardo Mira on an assist from Matthew Rogers. Rogers was the recipient of the second goal a minute later as Rafael Rivera hit a cross that Rogers headed past Cortes. 

IUPUI settled in after the early ORU goals. The Jags stayed on the offensive end through a flurry of corner kicks and deflected opportunities, but to no avail. 

The Jags settled for a 2-0 deficit heading into the half. 

IUPUI took the pitch in the second half with new life. In the 48th minute, a monster throw in from Hoffar found the head of freshman Ben Thornton at the six. Thornton redirected the ball to the back post out of the reach of the keeper for his second goal of the season. The assist was Hoffar's second of the year as well. 

Hoffar took another big throw in the 58th minute that ricocheted back to him. The Kendallville, Ind. native took a huge rip from 25 yards that dinged off the crossbar. 

In the 69th minute, Hoffar beat the ORU defense with a pass to sophomore Jared O'Dell on the left side of the box. O'Dell played a cross that met the hand of an ORU defender. Cortes came up to take the PK in what would have been the first goal of his career as well as the equalizer. His shot went low and right, bouncing off the right post. 

Trailing late, the Jags mounted a counter attack in the 84th minute. Hoffar one-touched a ball to a streaking Thornton who took a shot from outside the box. The shot was saved  but not corralled by the ORU keeper as the ball fell to the feet of Hoffar. The senior one-timed his sixth goal of the season and the equalizer for a 2-2 score sending the game to extra time. 

With just under two minutes to play, Hoffar tossed in another big throw that bounced around the box, leading to a Nick Anderson bicycle attempt that just missed left. The Jags continued pressuring but couldn't come away with the game-winner.   

Hoffar finished the season with a team-high six goals to go along with two assists. Cortes finished the 2015 campaign with 95 saves, good for third-most among NCAA Division I keepers. His 354 total career saves are second-best in IUPUI history. He also holds the IUPUI record for saves in a single game (16) and the Summit League record for Player of the Week awards (nine). 

"Really emotional just knowing this was our last game out on the field," Hoffar said. "It's great to be able to end it here after four years. I wouldn't have asked for anything else."

"The teammates I've had these last four years and all the memories I've had, I've been thankful," Cortes added. "Sometimes things didn't go well but we stuck together. I couldn't really ask for more." 

The Jags also recognized honorary captain Michael Malone on Saturday. Malone took the first kick of the match while donning his number 21 jersey with his name on the back. The 14-year old is currently in a battle with cancer and has been a vital part of the the Jags' 2015 season. Coach Jacob cited Malone as a big source of his–and his teams'–inspiration this season. 

"Michael has taught us a lot," Coach Jacob added. "He's taught us about hope. He's taught us how to fight. That young man is battling and he had some good news this week, so he was excited to be at the game today. He's been a part of our family and the boys have just embraced him." 

IUPUI finished the season 1-9-7 (1-2-3) but the Jags were just one Summit League victory away from a postseason berth. IUPUI says goodbye to Hoffar and Cortes but will return 13 freshmen from this year's squad, seven starters and nine who played significant minutes.