WESTFIELD, Ind. - The IUPUI men's soccer team extended its current unbeaten streak to five straight games as the Jaguars powered past Purdue Fort Wayne at Grand Park on Saturday (Oct. 29) by a 3-1 score. Lukas Hackaa, Tyler Gainer and Josemir Gomez all found the back of the net and Lucas Morefield made eight saves in the victory. 

The win helped IUPUI claw back to .500 on the season at 5-5-6 overall and improve to 4-1-3 in Horizon League play. The victory also assured the Jaguars a spot in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament with one regular season game yet to be played. The Jaguars were picked to finish tenth in the preseason polls, but have proven the pundits wrong, having now won four straight league games after opening 0-1-3. 

"It's super relieving and a happy feeling obviously. The weight of the game - we knew that if we win the game, we clinched a spot in the postseason. That was obviously our goal," head coach Sid van Druenen said. "We got up 1-0 at halftime, but I think it was Morefield that kept us in the game, honestly. PFW came out strong and had some good chances and we struggled with their initiative in the build. 

"The second half, I think we were better and in control for 45 minutes. We're super happy and super relieved and know that we just extended our season."

IUPUI was opportunistic in the attack, finally getting on the board in the 41st minute when Logan Finnegan earned a penalty kick chance. Finnegan had gotten behind the Purdue Fort Wayne (1-10-3, 0-6-2 HL) defense and was clipped by goalkeeper Danny Salazar on his way to goal. Hackaa capitalized for his sixth score of the season. 

Having already scored in the final five minutes of the first half, the Jaguars went for the knockout punch in the middle 10 minutes, tallying again in the opening five minutes of the second half. Gainer maneuvered past a Purdue Fort Wayne defender before rocketing a drive into danger. The shot redirected off a Mastodon defender and easily past Salazar for his first collegiate score. 

The game stayed at 2-0 until the guests got on the board in the 68th minute. After Morefield and the IUPUI defense staved off back-to-back corners with impressive saves, the 'Dons found paydirt on a third try as Keith Larson climbed the ladder to redirect Abe Arellano's corner service. 

IUPUI held strong defensively down the stretch and Gomez provided a late cushion when he blasted a diagonal shot past Salazar for his ninth tally of the season, Freshman Spencer Holland earned the assist as he sprung Gomez free with a long lead pass. 

Both teams finished with 14 shots each while Morefield made eight saves as nine of the Mastodons' attempts were on target. Ethan Vermillion and Finnegan had a team-high three shots each for the Jaguars. 

IUPUI will close out the regular season at Robert Morris on Wednesday (Nov. 2) at 2:00 p.m..