INDIANAPOLIS – A quick turnaround will keep the IUPUI men's soccer team busy this week as the Jags pack their bags for a pair of games in Nashville, Tenn.. IUPUI was on the road Monday (Sept. 14) and will hop on a bus again as they head south for games with Belmont on Friday (Sept. 18) and Lipscomb on Sunday (Sept. 20). 

IUPUI (0-4-1) lost to Cincinnati on Monday (Sept. 14) by a score of 2-1. It was the Jags' fourth consecutive loss by just one goal. 

"The ball will bounce our way," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "The belief is still there. We had a really good training session today (Sept. 16) and we saw the guys very lifted and positive.

"They need to continue to know that I believe in them. I feel their pain. I can see it. But this season is going to get turned around, and they know that." 

Belmont (1-5-0) is IUPUI's first match of the weekend and, interestingly enough, the Bruins are riding a five-game losing streak in which the last four have come by just one goal. Belmont's only win of the season came against Lipscomb, the Jags' Sunday matchup.

Lipscomb (1-4-0) comes in on a two-game skid of their own. The Bisons struggled a week ago, falling to Campbell and Appalachian State just a week after they shocked No. 10 Xavier, 2-1. 

"(Coach) Green is going to take Belmont to the next level," Coach Jacob said. "He's on his way. I really respect him. 

"And Lipscomb is an established program. They've done very well in the past and we're thankful that they've invited us to their tournament. But we're similar. You know, both these teams are going through the same things we're going through. They're keeping their heads up and we have to, too." 

The Jags and each of their opponents this weekend are averaging an even 1.00 goals per game. While the Jags have scored just five times in five games, the Bisons have done the same, and the Bruins have netted six goals in six matches. 

The stats say low-scoring contests, but the Jags will have a pair of injured starters back in the mix. Both sophomore Uriel Macias and junior Ben Ogedegbe should be available for the Jags by the weekend. Macias has missed significant time since the start of regular season play while Ogedegbe has yet to see the pitch due to injury. 

"To have two starters back is going to be huge," Coach Jacob said. "It gives us experience and it also gives us leadership on the field. I'm excited to see Ben back." 

While IUPUI has yet to find the winning combination on offense, the Jags' defense has been a staple of consistency. Three of IUPUI's five goals have come from defensive players; senior Clint Hoffar and freshman Ben Thornton. The continuity on defense as well as offensive production from the back line has been key for the Jags this season, as all four of the Jaguar defenders, as well as Cortes, have each logged more minutes than anyone on the attack or the midfield. 

IUPUI and Belmont will kickoff at 5 p.m. Friday (Sept. 18) while the Sunday battle with Lipscomb is set for 3:30 p.m. Both games will take place at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex.