INDIANAPOLIS - After yielding an early goal, the IUPUI men's soccer team faced an uphill task and never got equal as the Jaguars dropped a 2-0 home decision to Northern Kentucky on Saturday (Mar. 6) inside the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. NKU deposited the go-ahead goal less than five minutes into the contest and added some late insurance with a penalty kick in the victory.
IUPUI (0-3) outshot the Norse by a 13-10 margin, but struggled to get attempts on target, putting just two on frame.
NKU (4-1) won its fourth straight on Saturday and wasted little time going in front as Sam Robinson flared a shot past IUPUI redshirt freshman keeper
Lucas Morefield in the fifth minute. Ryan Godding played a long lead pass up the right-hand side to Robinson, who angled a shot past Morefield, who was caught off his back line.
The Jaguars were able to play possession and manage opportunities, but rarely seriously threatened the NKU defense in the opening half. IUPUI's lone shot on goal in the opening half came on a
Tommy Patacca header in the seventh minute that was easily plucked by NKU keeper Daniel Bermingham.
The second half saw possession tilt in favor of the Jaguars from the outset, oddly enough playing into the teeth of a strong wind.
Matthew Skaar and
Carson Shrader were both able to get early attempts, but saw their shots fly high of target.
Gianni Catenacci also got an attempt in the 73rd minute, but hit his shot wide of frame.
NKU nearly doubled its lead in the 78th minute, but Morefield made a brilliant diving stop of Brodie Sallows attempt, pushing the shot just beyond the post for a corner kick. However, the Norse were able to capitalize in the 79th minute, thanks to a penalty kick. Deryn Armstrong got loose on a breakaway and was jockeying for position with
Corey Goede. Patacca converged on the play and sent Armstrong to the turf leading to an NKU penalty. Dylan Bufton took the ensuing PK and beat Morefield to his right for his third tally of the season.
IUPUI continued to build chances in the closing minutes but
Riley Shives had an attempt saves in the 86th minute and Goede misfired from in close as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Skaar was credited with a game-high five shots from his forward spot while Catenacci created three shots from his left back position. Bufton had a team-high four shots for the Norse.
IUPUI will return to action on Friday (Mar. 12) when the Jaguars head north to face Detroit Mercy at 1:00 p.m..
