FORT WAYNE, Ind. – In a decision day duel, the IUPUI men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Purdue Fort Wayne Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 1). The Mastodons needed at least a point to earn a spot in the Horizon League Tournament, while the Jags' placement had already been secured.

IUPUI (6-6-5, 4-2-3 HL) got on the board first on a free kick just outside the box. Set piece specialist, Lukas Hackaa, played in a dangerous ball to the near post that bobbled around just outside the six before falling to the feet of sophomore defender Brady Horn. Horn calmly slipped the ball passed the goalie and through a defender's legs to find the back of the net and give his team the early lead. The sixth minute mark was not only Horn's first of the campaign, but also the quickest of the year for IUPUI. The assist was Hackaa's fifth of the season, propelling him inside the top five in the league in assists, goals and points.

"Grabbing the goal was great but unfortunately we couldn't keep the lead and see out the game," Horn said. "We're all looking forward to the (Horizon League) tournament now."

Following the early goal, Purdue Fort Wayne (6-5-4, 3-3-3 HL) upped the pressure, needing a goal to secure a spot in the Horizon League Tournament. Despite the constant pressure, the Mastodons failed to generate any genuine scoring chances for the majority of the first half. The tides turned when the Dons were awarded a penalty after an attacker was taken down in the area. Seth Mahlmeister, the Horizon League's leading scorer, got just enough height on his shot from the spot to beat Lucas Morefield who searched for his second penalty save in as many matches.

After going into the break tied at one, both sides had large spells of possession in the second stanza, but neither was able to create any quality offense, with just three shots and one on goal coming in the second 45.

After a relatively calm second half, it was a nervy final five minutes for both squads. The Mastodons had multiple corner and free kicks in the offensive third and were also issued a red card, but the teams were content with the draw as the hosts held the ball at the corner flag for the final minute of play.

The Jaguars await the result of the Green Bay vs. Milwaukee match which will determine the final seeding for the tournament. Oakland, with a victory today, secured the regular season crown and will host the semi-finals and final next week.