INDIANAPOLIS - Boasting nearly an entirely new cast of characters, the IUPUI men's soccer team asserted itself with a 0-0 exhibition draw against UIC at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Tuesday night (Aug. 16). With a new look that begins with a head coach having been on the job for just more than a week and a roster that features almost as many newcomers as returners, the Jags appeared comfortable on their home turf against a tough Horizon League foe. 

Sophomore goalie Josh Gray made six saves, including stopping a PK, and redshirt freshman James Mitchison added three more in the closing minutes of the shutout. 

"I'm super pleased with the guys," Head Coach Brian Barnett said. "I've been telling them all preseason that I'm tremendously thankful that everyday they come out, they're putting forth their best effort from the start of the training session to the end of the training session. 

"I'm very pleased with the product out of the field today. From the beginning of the game to the end of the game, the guys competed and they were coachable in terms of making adjustments at halftime and then going out in the second half and executing those things."

Some early disorganization led to some harrowing moments in the first half, beginning with the penalty kick in the 12th minute. However, Gray dove to his right to punch away Max Todd's attempt and Gonzalo Romo's rebound opportunity sailed harmlessly over the bar. Gray made another dazzling stop on an Oscar Gonzalez attempt in the 15th minute.

"It was very exciting (to stop a PK)," Gray said. "You kind of have to stay calm in the moment and deal with what's coming up next in the game. You don't get to celebrate too long."

At the other end, IUPUI's only shot on goal in the first half was a Jordan Parron attempt from long distance. 

The second half was another story though as IUPUI opened on the attack and kept pressure in UIC's end for much of the 45 minutes. Junior Pape Ndiaye had a quality attempt in the 53rd minute fly well over the crossbar and had a similar result in the 65th minute after Trevor Semakula set the table by rolling a pass through traffic to the trailing attacker. 

After a truer second half, IUPUI had to stave off a late UIC rally to retain the tie as all three of Mitchison's saves came in the final 2:26 of regulation. 

IUPUI was outshot 18-11 and got a team-high three attempts from Ndiaye off the bench. Both Semakula and Cristian Soto had two shot attempts for the hosts. 

Gray, who made two appearances as a true freshman while serving as an understudy to current professional Eduardo Cortes, was steady in his first fall start, playing 62 minutes. 

"It was hugely important (to get a shutout)," Gray said. "It really allows us to go forward into Evansville and bring confidence into that game and hopefully score some goals next time."

"I think everybody that stepped out there for the minutes that they played, put forth a great effort and contributed something positive to the team," Barnett said. "It gives me good perspective on what things we can work on moving forward to Evansville."

The Jaguars will continue the two-game preseason on Saturday, Aug. 20 when they host Evansville at 2:00 p.m. at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. That match will be FREE of charge.