CHICAGO - The IUPUI men's soccer team put up a solid defensive performance, but just couldn't find its rhythm against a stout Loyola Chicago squad on Tuesday night (Sept. 13), ultimately falling on the road, 2-0. IUPUI yielded a backbreaking goal just before halftime to go down a score and then yielded a second tally in the game's 80th minute. 

Loyola (4-0-2), who remained undefeated at home this season, limited IUPUI (1-2-3) to just four shot attempts and without a corner kick on Tuesday. The Ramblers continually disrupted the IUPUI attack as the Jaguars were unable to solve the host's lines of defense. 

"Result aside, I think it's a huge positive. It was a massive learning opportunity for us. We told the guys at the beginning of the game, we started seven freshmen today and wanted to see if we can compete against a program that's probably a little ahead - A10, good footballers, high intensity - and I think the guys did that," head coach Sid van Druenen said. "We competed really well. We were really unlucky to have conceded a goal with 90 seconds to go in the first half.

"Then the second half, we add a forward and decided to chase the game to see if we can find a tying goal and unfortunately, we end up conceding a second (goal)."

The Jaguars knew it would be a tall task against a team that had only yielded two scores this season and was unbeaten in the season's first five games. 

For much of the first half, IUPUI was largely content to allow Loyola to possess and maintain organization and shape against the Ramblers attack. As the half progressed, each side tried to find creases to attack with the Jaguars' best look coming on a Lukas Hackaa crack in the 35th minute. The Jags got another positive build when Dominic Breidenbach played service from the left side towards a sprinting Gavin O'Shea, but the rookie attacker just missed a diving header attempt from the middle of the Loyola box. 

Loyola went ahead in the 44th minute when Oscar Dueso coolly redirected a Brody Phan cross just inside the post, just beyond goalkeeper Lucas Morefield, for the game's first score. 

IUPUI upped its tempo to start the second half, thanks in large part to the play of freshman Ethan Vermillion. However, the increased pressure didn't result in many additional opportunities as IUPUI had just one second half shot attempt - a Logan Finnegan try in the 87th minute. 

Loyola added insurance in the 80th minute when Jason Ybarra drilled a right-footed strike through traffic from the top of the 18 off a cross from the right side. 

Loyola outshot the Jaguars 10-4 and 4-1 on frame while earning seven corner kicks. Morefield was solid between the pipes, collecting a pair of saves in the defeat. Aside from Morefield and defender Caleb Hussain, the entire starting lineup consisted of newcomers as van Druenen rolled out seven freshmen and a pair of transfers in Hackaa and Medard Mikobi. 

IUPUI will continue non-conference play next Tuesday (Sept. 20) when the Jaguars host Belmont at 3:00 p.m. at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. That contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ and admission is FREE.