DAYTON, Ohio - The IU Indianapolis men's soccer team travels to Wright State for its Horizon League opener on Saturday (Sept. 14) for a 3:00 p.m. start. This will be the 27th all-time meeting between the sides, with the Raiders holding a 18-7 edge with just one draw coming in 2022. The Jaguars have controlled the series as of late, winning four of the last five matches, with all four victories coming in shutout fashion. 

The Jaguars (3-1-1) are off to a hot start, thanks in part to excellent play from the newcomers. Wright State transfer Cameron Radeke and Ohio Wesleyan transfer Mason Taylor have especially stood out, with the former tallying a goal and assist and the latter registering 25 saves while boasting a 0.75 goals against average. While freshman Bali Esquivel has yet to appear on the score sheet, his presence has definitely been felt on the pitch. He leads all outfield newcomers in playing time, starting all five matches and racking up 359 total minutes. Fellow freshmen Tyson Aschliman and Christian Nielsen have each recorded points, with Aschliman scoring at Saint Louis and Nielsen assisting in his first-ever appearance in the season opener. 

The returners have also impressed, combining for five of the team's seven goals and three of five assists. Jose Antonio Herrera has led the way, tallying a team-high three goals with two being game-winning marks. Gijs Velings, a Horizon League All-Freshman performer a year ago, has continued his stellar play, scoring his first career goal against Bowling Green and adding an assist at Saint Louis. Ethan Vermillion has also added a goal and assist in what has been a standout junior season. The defense has also been impressive, led by Brady Horn who has played a team-high 432 minutes.

Wright State (2-3) won back-to-back contests after falling to Bowling Green in its season opener, but has since dropped two straight road games. The Raiders, who were picked ninth in the Under Armor #HLMSOC Preseason Poll, are averaging over two scores a game, led by Edwin Espinal-Elvir, who tallied goals in each of the Raider's first three matches. A trio of Raiders (Feliz Esekwuka, Conner Osterholt and Cole Werthmuller) have all registered two goals apiece, with the latter two also adding assists. Joel Shaw has been the leader in goal for the Raiders, recording 10 saves with a 2.00 goals against average.