INDIANAPOLIS - After a strong start to the season, the IU Indianapolis men's soccer team will finally host its 2025 home opener on Tuesday night (Sept. 9) when the Jaguars welcome Northern Illinois for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff inside Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The Jaguars have opened the campaign at 2-1-2, including back-to-back wins over in-state foes Butler and Southern Indiana last week.
Senior midfielder Youri Keijser netted the game-winner at Butler and followed up with an assist on the game-winner at Southern Indiana on Saturday. The Jaguars trailed for much of the match at USI on Saturday before sophomore defender Stan Klaver came off the bench and scored goals in the 74th and 76th minutes. USI pulled even on a header in the 84th minute before redshirt sophomore Nathaniel Isom retaliated with the game-winner in the 88th minute.
The two scores were the first of Klaver's career while sophomore midfielder Bali Esquivel earned assists on both strikes. Keijser and senior defender Brady Horn helped initiate Isom's game-winner, which was his first collegiate score. Senior Cameron Maung-Maung earned both wins last week, blanking Butler with four saves and following with two saves in the triumph at Southern Indiana.
Keijser leads the team in points for the season with five while Klaver is next in line with four. Esquivel has a team-high three assists and Horn is tops on the team in minutes played, having played all 450 through five contests.
QUOTABLE
"With all the possession we had and the chances we created, I think the best team won today, but USI definitely put us under pressure in moments and taught us a couple valuable lessons today on things we have to improve and get better on going forward," van Druenen said following Saturday's 3-2 road win at Southern Indiana.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
NIU is 2-1-1 on the season and 1-0-1 against Horizon League foes with a draw at Milwaukee and 1-0 road win at Green Bay. The only blemish on the Huskies schedule is a 2-1 road loss at No. 19 Kansas City on Sept. 1. NIU has outscored opponents 9-4 on the season with Katai Mukuka having a team-high five points (2 goals, 1 assist) in just three games. Roman Khela has a team-high two assists from his defensive position. In goal, Atahan Arslan has started all four matches and has a 1.00 goals against average and 11 saves with a .733 save percentage and two shutouts.
INSIDE THE SERIES
IU Indy is 4-2 all-time against NIU and 2-0 in the two meetings in Indianapolis. The two schools haven't met since 2016 when the Jaguars won 2-0 in Indianapolis.
UP NEXT
IU Indy will open Horizon League play on Saturday (Sept. 13) against Wright State at 5:00 p.m. inside Carroll Stadium. Greg Rakestraw will call the action on ESPN+.
