INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis men's soccer team delivered an impressive performance at the Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Saturday afternoon, defeating conference foe Northern Kentucky in a close 2-1 match.
Jose Antonio Herrera scored the game's first goal in the 57th minute, then freshman
Bali Esquivel stepped up with his first goal of the season to give the Jags the late edge after NKU tied the match with a goal in the 58th minute.
"It was a physical battle," said head coach
Sid van Druenen following the match. "It's always tough to play Northern Kentucky but we held our own defensively and we didn't give up much. We are working and executing what we want to do and so to get rewarded today is a major step in the right direction. We challenge guys to step up and
Bali Esquivel is someone who has played a ton this season and is probably the man of the match today with his first goal and assist."
IU Indianapolis (5-6-3) opened the scoring in the second stanza when Herrera found the back of the net at in the 57th minute, setting the tone for a competitive second half. Esquivel played a crucial role in the first goal, providing the assist that jump started the offense. Today's goal from Herrera brings his season total to six.
A minute later, Northern Kentucky struck back with an equalizer from Tyler Murphy off an assist from Yonatan Cohen, leveling the score at 1-1. Despite the goal from Murphy, the Jaguars' goalkeeper
Mason Taylor delivered another great performance, recording eight saves to keep IU Indy in the game.
The Jags regained control of the match with a pivotal goal from Esquivel in the 80th minute of play. The freshman from Illinois scored his first goal of the season off the assist from
Tyson Aschliman, also a collegiate first for the Jags. The goal gave the Jags the lead and ultimately secured the victory.
The win boosts the IU Indianapolis' team to a 2-3-1 record in Horizon League play. With strong performances from Esquivel, Herrera and Taylor, the Jags will look to build on this as they travel to Green Bay to face the Phoenix on Saturday, October 26.
