INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI men's soccer team lost in heartbreaking fashion to Indianapolis rival Butler, 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday night (Sept. 1). The Jags were the second game in a home doubleheader with the Bulldogs at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

IUPUI (0-1-1) clawed back twice to even the deficit after falling behind 1-0 and 2-1. Butler's (2-0-0) Vincent Mitchell opened the scoring in the 34th minute off an assist from Eric Leonard after getting in behind the IUPUI defense.

"When we went down, we were able to come back up," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "That's what I liked."

The Jags didn't wait long to respond as sophomore Emmanuel Usen took a pass from Cristian Soto on an attack and beat the Butler keeper with his left foot in the 40th minute; the Jags' first equalizer of the evening. 

However, just 61 seconds later, Butler's David Goldsmith got deep in the IUPUI defensive third, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead at the half. 

The Jags held steady in the early going of the second period, controlling decent possession and avoiding getting beat on through balls in the defensive third. Patiently waiting for an opportunity, a Butler handball in the box set up an IUPUI penalty kick in the 71st minute. Senior Clint Hoffar rifled a shot lower right for the Jags' second equalizer of the contest and his second goal in as many matches to start the year.

A 2-2 score would send the game into overtime, but just over two minutes into extra soccer, Mitchell laid a slow roller to the six that was touched home by Goldsmith for his second tally of the evening.

"We can score goals. There's no question about that," Jacob added. "We just have to pay attention to the little details. But we had a great effort, a great fighting spirit."

Attendance for the Indianapolis rivalry exceed 1500. The Carroll Stadium crowd, made up of mostly students, created a great atmosphere for a great rivalry. 

"I want to thank our fans," Jacob echoed. "The students did a fantastic job. They really came out. We want them to come back because we want to give them a win next time."

The Jags will host Western Michigan (2-0-0) this Sunday (Sept. 6) at 1 p.m. to celebrate Alumni Day. Festivities will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a small-sided Alumni Game and Youth Clinic for children of former IUPUI players. Following the game, fans are invited to a postgame event at the downtown BW3's with funds raised at the gathering benefiting IUPUI soccer.