INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI men's soccer team came up on the wrong end of a 2-0 decision in its Summit League opener on Friday night (Sept. 23) to Western Illinois at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The visiting Leathernecks got the game-winner from Ben Fiddes in the 32nd minute and added insurance midway through the second half. 

IUPUI (0-7, 0-1 Summit) was unable to minimize damage from a few costly mistakes against a foe that's now won four of its past five games.

After dodging some bullets early, a turnover near midfield led to the Leathernecks' first goal just before halftime. An errant pass went right to Fiddes, who dribbled straight at sophomore goalie Josh Gray before unloading a shot past the IUPUI netminder. Gray faced seven corner kicks and eight shot attempts in the first half alone, but had the Jags in the match, down just a goal at the break.

However, the guests took a commanding two-goal lead in the 53rd minute, thanks to a long restart. Jacob Bjornsen took the free kick from beyond midfield and hit Fiddes, just beyond IUPUI's six-yard box. Rather than opt to redirect on frame, Fiddes headed a pass across the Jags' six-yard box to Jacob Bevan, who completed an easy finish from in close.

The Jags struggled to build scoring chance, but still had opportunities in both halves. IUPUI's best scoring chance of the first half came in the 31st minute when Cristian Soto stole the ball near midfield and was loose in transition against WIU's goalie Tim Hansen, who was quickly retreating. With a defender closing him down, Soto was forced to shoot early and drove a shot right at Hansen.

Sophomore back Ben Thornton had two headers off restarts, but was unable to get either on frame.

Western Illinois (4-4-1, 1-0 Summit) finished with a 15-7 shot advantage and 9-0 edge in corner kicks. Fernando Pacheco paced WIU with three shots and Gray recorded three saves in the loss.

As has become customary with Summit League games, whistles were abundant on Friday night as the two sides combined on 35 fouls and six cards. IUPUI freshman Alan Aguilar was hit with his second yellow card in the game's 85th minute, being sent off as the Jags had to play a man down.

"That's part of college soccer," Thornton said. "You don't worry about the refs and the calls, but try to take advantage of the calls you do get. It was a physical game, but that's part of it. You just have to go out and compete and fight."

The IUPUI Athletics Department and Head Soccer Coach Brian Barnett invited back men's soccer alumni for Saturday's match as part of an Alumni Weekend.

"Those guys have put a lot of sweat equity in the program and know what it takes to be successful, whether it be on the soccer field or in having their degrees and being out in the real world. It's important for our guys to see that and be connected with those guys," Barnett said. "Between having the alumni back and our student body come out tonight, I thought the atmosphere under the lights was outstanding.

"Now I want to see a response (to the loss). We've got to continue to work on the little things as we look ahead to Northern Illinois and correct those mistakes to fully put ourselves in a position to win."

IUPUI will face Northern Illinois on Wednesday night (Sept. 28) in a match broadcast on IUPUIJags.com. Greg Rakestraw (pxp) will call the action from Carroll Stadium and IUPUI students are admitted for FREE with a valid JagTag.