INDIANAPOLIS - A mid-afternoon meeting with the Vikings of Cleveland State saw the Jaguars drop a conference matchup at home on Saturday (Oct. 7), 1-0. Energy was flat in Carroll Stadium for the first half-hour of the match as the Jaguars spent the majority of the opening minutes defending their final third. Cleveland State's Marko Rimac punched first, notching the only goal of the afternoon in the 32nd minute off an assist from Pablo Kawecki. IUPUI's midfield unit fought to connect into the attack and created a late chance by earning a free kick with less than a minute to play in the half. The ball ricocheted out of bounds to conclude the first half action.

The Jaguars (4-5-3, 3-1-1 HL) entered the second half with a noticeable sense of urgency.

There was effort to play with more physicality reflected in the results–three of IUPUI's four total yellow cards came in the second half.

"The second half we came out firing," sophomore Dominic Breidenbach said when asked about halftime adjustments. "We were moving the ball, everybody was working defensively whether it was your job or not." Breidenbach noted the energy shift and credited the heightened sense of urgency for the improved attack and possession in the second half. The Jaguars had a noticeable fight and played with a different edge as they fought to counter their first half woes.

IUPUI's Lukas Hackaa and Josemir Gomez each tallied three shots in the match, tying Cleveland State's Pablo Kawecki for the most of any player. Both Hackaa and Gomez were more prominent in the second half action as the Jaguars attempted to remedy the first half mistakes. Hackaa sent in a cross from just outside the box that connected with Gomez's head but was blocked in the 70th minute. IUPUI would only get a couple more chances in Viking territory before ultimately being shut out. 

Though the attack improved from the first half to the second– the Jags attempted eight shots in the second half compared to just two in the first – Cleveland State's defense emerged unscathed.

"The game plan first half was the same as the second half," head coach Sid van Druenen stated. "We just did a much better job and we were able to pin them in and create a couple of chances."

He commended the players' execution of that game plan in the second half and credited that for their improved performance.

The slow first half and missed opportunities of the second cost the Jaguars a chance at Horizon League points.

"I think when we look back and we train it's just making sure that the guys understand [the game plan]," said coach van Druenen, "The game shouldn't be the moment that you realize they didn't understand."

An opportunity to correct these mistakes and iron out understanding may come as soon as this week as the Jags travel to Western Illinois on Tuesday before another Horizon League clash with Northern Kentucky University the following Saturday. IUPUI still sits atop the Horizon League standings with ten points and an opportunity to claim three more next Saturday.