INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis men's soccer team dropped its 2024 home opener to Bowling Green in a game that featured multiple weather delays and was ultimately completed nearly 15 hours after opening kickoff. Bowling Green led 2-1 when play was halted on Friday night (Aug. 30) and tacked on two more scores in the final 31:20 on Saturday for a 4-1 win. Sophomore Gijs Velings netted his first career score in the defeat on a penalty kick. 

"It's weird, it's hard, it's new, it's different," head coach Sid van Druenen said of the overnight delay. "It's not something that you really ever prepare for. It changes everything - the dynamics of the substitutions, what you're thinking about with guys on the bench and constantly trying to keep them ready. 

"It's hard but it's part of the game. It's not the first time it happened and it won't be the last time it happens."

BGSU (3-0) grabbed a quick lead in the 12th minute when Trace Terry jammed home a rebound attempt just inside the post after reigning #HLMSOC Defensive Player of the Week Mason Taylor had stopped Bennett Painter's initial attempt from close range. Terry pounced on the rebound and snuck a shot inside the post for his second tally of the season. 

Velings drew the Jaguars even in the 28th minute after Justin Figaroa was pulled to the ground just inside the penalty area on his way to goal. Velings easily outfoxed BGSU keeper Brendan Graves on the ensuing PK to tie the match. 

Things remained level for less than two minutes as Alberto Amaya scored on a free kick from just beyond the 18-yard box in the 30th minute for the game-winner. 

Early in the second half, lightning in the area halted play and after a brief restart, play was suspended again for lightning and hard rain. After waiting for approximately two hours, the sides opted to resume play on Saturday (Apr. 31) morning. Even Saturday's initial start time was pushed back due to lightning in the area. 

However, once play resumed, BGSU needed exactly four seconds to find the back of the net as Kyle Cusimano's long throw led to Andrew Shaffer's blast from in close in the 59th minute. 

Trailing by a pair of scores, the Jaguar attack was able to possess for much of the duration of the match, but rarely turn possession into production against the BGSU defense. Ethan Vermillion was the team's top threat throughout the match, firing a game-high five shots, putting two on target. Cameron Radeke tested Graves with an angled shot in the 61st minute, forcing the BGSU keeper to deflect it just wide of the post. Vermillion got an attempt off the ensuing corner kick, but had it knocked down by a Falcon defender. 

Cusimano authored late insurance for the Falcons, angling a header over the head of IU Indy keeper Cameron Maung Maung in the 88th minute to cap the game's scoring. 

BGSU closed with a 14-9 shot advantage and despite the Jaguars earning a tick more of the game's possession. Taylor closed with four saves while Graves made two for the victors. 

The Jaguars will return to action on Monday (Sept. 2) when they take on No. 6 Saint Louis at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.