CINCINNATI – The IUPUI men's soccer team fell to Cincinnati 2-1 on Monday night (Sept. 14) in a game where the Bearcats snapped a three-game losing streak. 

"We have to finish our chances," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "It's about scoring when we have the opportunity. We have to pay attention to details as a group."

IUPUI (0-4-1) found itself in another defensive battle early on in a 0-0 contest nearing the half. A foul on the Jags gave Cincy (3-3-0) a penalty kick opportunity that was struck home by Emmanuel Appiah in the 44th minute. 

Soon after the half, UC's Alejandro Garcia netted his fourth goal of the season on an assist from Adam Wilson in the 61st minute. 

As thoughts of a win started to look grim for IUPUI, a set piece opportunity brought some life. Sophomore Cristian Soto fired a ball into the six where Ben Thornton was waiting with a header and his first goal of the year in the 67th minute. 

"It was great to see Ben get one," Coach Jacob said. "It was great to see him play well. He and Trevor Semakula stood out tonight."

Things got chippy as the Jags got desperate for the equalizer late in the game. A pair of yellow cards were issued (one to each squad) down the stretch before a late, hard tackle by UC's Terrence Carter produced a red card with ten minutes left in play. The Jags couldn't capitalize on the opportunity, however, before the game ended in a 2-1 loss, the Jags' fourth consecutive loss by just one goal. 

"I thought we had an opportunity at the end," Coach Jacob said. "I thought Emmanuel Usen played well. I thought our five freshmen played well. We took it to them in the second half and we had those chances." 

IUPUI senior keeper Eduardo Cortes was quality as usual. Despite giving up two goals, one from a PK, Cortes registered seven saves and a .778 save percentage. The Jags were outshot in the contest 14-10 and 9-2 on frame. 

"It's going to happen but we can't wish it," Coach Jacob said. "We have to take action. We are a good team but we can say that all day. We have to do more than what we're doing right now to get a result."

IUPUI will travel to Nashville, Tenn. this weekend for a two-game invitational with Belmont on Friday (Sept. 18) and Lipscomb on Sunday (Sept. 20). Friday's match with Belmont is slated for 5 p.m. while Sunday's clash with Lipscomb kicks at 3:30 p.m.