INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI men's soccer team started the 2023 campaign with a bang Thursday night (Aug. 24), knocking in three first half goals en route to a 3-1 victory over Southern Indiana.

"Starting the season off with a win, carrying off the success from last year was phenomenal," stated head coach Sid van Druenen after the match. "We created a ton of chances and didn't give too much away. Overall, it was a great start and we will build on that."

After the match was postponed two hours due to extreme temperatures in the area, the teams couldn't wait any longer to get on the pitch to begin the season. However, not long after the opening whistle began play, an injury occurred, forcing both squads to head to their respective benches for almost 30 minutes.

"Stuff like that happens all the time in soccer. It's sad, but it's part of the game. I feel sorry for him, and I hope he comes back quick," said senior captain Lukas Hackaa regarding the injury. "We had to be mentally strong and stay active (during the break) to be ready to go when the whistle blows again."

"It's hard. It's hard for us to coach (following an injury)," added van Druenen. "I hope he's fine and recovers well. Unfortunately, it is stuff you have to deal with. You feel for them but at the same time I'm glad of how we responded."

The Jags were in fact ready to resume play and it didn't take them long to find the season's first goal, coming in the match's ninth minute. The play began with a beautiful long ball played in behind the defense by central defender Edgar Correia. Emerson Nieto then crossed the ball into the middle of the box, finding Josemir Gomez who directed the ball towards goal and over the Screaming Eagles goalkeeper's head to record his first tally of the year and tenth of his career.

The Jags stretched the lead just a few minutes later after Logan Finnegan drew a penalty. Hackaa played a perfectly weighted through ball to fellow captain Finnegan who faked a shot and set the ball up on his left foot but was taken down from behind inside the 18-yard box, forcing the official to blow his whistle. Hackaa, an experienced penalty taker, confidently drove the ball into the bottom left corner, beating Andrew Klott who dove the right way.

"I can't tell my secret (to taking penalties), but I am just confident. If you want to take PK's you have to (be confident)," exclaimed Hackaa.

After building an early lead, the home team didn't let up, out-shooting Southern Indiana 9-4 in the opening 45 minutes of play. IUPUI would add its third goal of the half with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first stanza. Hackaa's defense got the break started, breaking up a pass attempt and forcing the ball into the offensive zone where Spencer Holland attacked the two central defenders and laid the ball off for Hackaa who slipped the ball past Klott for his second of the night.

Despite maintaining most of the possession and outshooting Southern Indiana 9-4 in the second half, IUPUI would give up a goal in the 77^th minute of play. Following a foul by Kyle Healy, the Eagles set up for a free kick in a dangerous position. An excellent ball played in by Marky Lara found Sam Benoist who sent a powerful header into the ground and just out of reach of the outstretched Lucas Morefield.

The Jags shut down the comeback attempt, killing the final 12-plus minutes of play to secure the first triumph of the 2023 season. The squad will now travel to South Bend to take on Notre Dame on Sunday (Aug. 27).