INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI men's soccer team let one slip away to Valparaiso, 2-1 in double overtime on Friday night (Sept. 11). The Jags have been haunted by visiting teams' late-game heroics recently, this time by the foot of Valpo's Isaiah Madrid on a free kick in the 106th minute.  

"Valpo is a very good team," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "We battled with them. We had opportunities to finish."  

IUPUI (0-3-1) came out goal-hunting right from the start. Sophomore Uriel Macias got loose in the defensive third and had an opportunity within the 1st minute. Seconds later, a corner kick entered the six and just missed left off the head of freshman Sean Siasia.

The Jags went in front late in the first half, thanks largely to a hustle play from rookie Nick Anderson. With the play all but dead along the left sideline, Anderson tracked down a Valpo defender and went in for a hard challenge along the end line. After winning the ball back, Anderson whipped a cross to Jacob Singer, who flicked a pass to a wide open Trevor Semakula at the back post. Semakula, making his collegiate debut, had an easy finish from there in the game's 34th minute. 

Valparaiso (2-2-1) would find the equalizer midway through the second half as Madrid launched a shot from 25 yards that bounced off the crossbar and landed at the feet of Matthew Gweh. Gweh put home the rebound in the 67th minute, a goal that would send the contest into overtime.

The Jags' senior keeper Eduardo Cortes played the hero role late in the game, reading multiple through ball attempts and saving a rocket from Madrid that was tracking the upper right corner in the 90th minute. Cortes was brilliant in the overtime periods until an IUPUI foul set up the free kick that was Madrid's game-winner in the 106th minute. Madrid took a low rip that curved around the right side of a four-man Jaguar wall and squeaked past Cortes along the turf. 

The Jags tested Valpo keeper Nico Campbell early and often, but the 6-foot-4, 220 pound net-defender made a pair of great saves (three total) that decided the result late in the game. Cortes recorded six saves of his own in the match. 

"Their goalkeeper made two incredible saves," Coach Jacob echoed. "The ball will bounce our way, I strongly believe that. These are tough losses and I told the boys to keep (their) heads up. We win together and we lose together." 

On another tough night for Coach Jacob's squad, the emotional support on the bench came from the team's honorary captain, Michael Malone. Malone, a young man battling cancer, has been a friend and fan of the team this season, often participating in practices and spending time with the Jags off the field. The Jags honored Malone during starting lineups and will keep him close through the 2015 campaign.

"Tonight was Michael Malone's night," Coach Jacob said. "I'll take a loss (on the field) and a win over cancer. He means a lot to the team. I pray that that young man overcomes the battle." 

IUPUI will travel east on I-74 this Monday to take on a Cincinnati team (2-3-0) in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Monday's match at Gettler Stadium will begin at 7 p.m.