DAYTON, Ohio - The IU Indianapolis men's soccer team dropped its Horizon League opener on Saturday (Sept. 14), falling on the road at Wright State, 2-0. Goalkeeper Mason Taylor was brilliant in net, making eight saves, including stopping a penalty kick, but the offense was largely punchless in being outshot 14-4. 

"Disappointed. Not happy, obviously," head coach Sid van Druenen said. "I don't think at any point in time today we were better (than Wright State). 

"We'll dissect (the result) and maybe we were riding the cloud a little bit after two big results, but I don't think we were prepared to do the same today. I'm disappointed with how we played and how we performed. Guys who have been very good for us for the past five or six weeks today, were not. Too many of us were not good enough today."

The host Raiders (3-3, 1-0 HL) got the game-winner in the 27th minute from Edwin Espinal-Elvir and Jonah Williams added second half insurance by converting a penalty kick in the 75th minute. 

The Jaguars were quality in possession and pace, but ultimately unable to muster much in the finishing third. Meanwhile, Wright State played a more direct brand and got on the board first in the run of play. Just after a hydration break, Espinal-Elvir got free on a run and headed home a cross, just past Taylor for his fourth tally of the year. 

The Jaguars were held without a shot until the 53rd minute when Mano Karjian had an attempt cleared off the back line. IU Indy avoided disaster in the 65th minute when the Raiders were awarded a penalty kick after WSU's Felix Ezekwuka was tackled awkwardly inside the 18-yard box. On the attempt, Taylor sprung right and stopped the initial try and then engulfed a rebound opportunity to keep the margin at one. 

IU Indy thought they had an equalizer on a restart in the 65th minute when Ethan Vermillion headed home a shot from point blank range, but it was ruled he was in an offsides position, negating the score. 

The Jaguars' best scoring chance came in the 74th minute when the Jaguars rolled a cross through the WSU 18-yard box, but Owen Parrish's shot was deflected by a Raider defender. After the defensive stand, WSU shot forward on a counter attack and ultimately earned another penalty kick after Williams was brought to the turf on way to goal. Despite Taylor's best efforts, Williams shot found the back of the net for the day's final score. 

The Jaguars will return home to host Robert Morris next Saturday (Sept. 21) at 3:00 p.m. at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.