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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The IUPUI men's soccer team heads west on Friday (Oct. 2) for a conference match with No. 8 Denver, the Summit League's lone undefeated team. 

IUPUI (0-5-3) enters Friday's match after opening conference play with a 1-1 draw against Omaha last Saturday (Sept. 26). The Jags fell behind 1-0 in the first half before junior Cristian Soto netted the equalizer in the 78th minute. 

The Jags were missing firepower with a handful of key contributors out due to injuries. In turn, they started seven freshmen in the contest. 

"That's why we brought them in," Head Coach Isang Jacob said. "We're very proud of our freshmen right now. They're contributing a lot of minutes for us." 

Senior keeper Eduardo Cortes preserved the draw with 13 saves, a performance that earned him Summit League Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was the eighth time Cortes was acknowledged with the league's weekly award, the most all-time in Summit League history. 

"You go into games knowing that if you can score a goal or two, you have someone who you trust can keep you in the game," Coach Jacob said. "That's why we've lost games by just one goal. He's keeping us in games. His distribution is incredible. His accolades are well deserved."

Cortes' 51 saves this season are currently third in the NCAA, while his save percentage (.810) is tops in the Summit League. His 13 saves against Omaha is tied for a game-high this season in the NCAA. Behind Cortes, the Jags have only conceded 12 goals in eight matches. 

Denver (8-0-1) comes in riding a five-game win streak. The Pioneers have scored 17 goals through nine games coming from the feet of eight different players. Very balanced on offense, Denver supplements its offense with sound defense, as they've only allowed five goals (0.62 per game).

"Denver scores goals," Coach Jacob said. "They find ways to win. They're No. 8 in the country and they deserve to be, but we're ready." 

Denver has won six of eight by just a one-goal differential, while the Jags have been victims of one-goal games in all five losses. In a match where an undefeated team meets a winless team, it's anybody's game. 

Friday's match in Denver will begin at 9 p.m. ET.