NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The IUPUI men's soccer team tied Belmont on Friday night (Sept. 18) 1-1 in the first game of a two-game tourney at the Lipscomb Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.

"They were in the same boat we're in," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "They were in need of a win too.

"We took the lead, we just couldn't take control. The boys refused to lose but we didn't just take control. We played not to lose and we should've played to win." 

IUPUI (0-4-2) took control early on a goal in the 9th minute from freshman Jack Zemanski, the Canton, Mich. native's first career strike. Sophomore Emmanuel Usen tallied the assist on the play. It was the third consecutive game that included a first-career goal by a freshman in IUPUI's last three matches.  

"We knew we could attack them with the width," Coach Jacob said. We kept telling them to find the width and let the ball come back to the middle. Emmanuel found Jack for a one-touch goal." 
 
Belmont (1-5-1) responded in the 25th as Joonas Bask found the back of the net for his first of the year. Bask's goal was assisted by Raphael Colmanette. 
 
Despite the result, IUPUI keeper Eduardo Cortes held down the fort in goal with eight saves and a .889 save percentage. 

"Eduardo played really well," Coach Jacob added. "He made two incredible saves that could've ended the game in the second half."

IUPUI will turn around and play Lipscomb in less than 48 hours. 

"We need to get guys some rest," Coach Jacob said. "We played a lot of guys a lot of minutes. We need guys to recover, and the guys who didn't play a lot of minutes need to step up on Sunday."
The Jags remain in Nashville until their date with Lipscomb (1-4) on Sunday at 3:30 p.m..