INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis men's soccer team earned a much needed result as the Jaguars played Robert Morris to a 1-1 draw at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on an unseasonably warm Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 7). The Jaguars yielded an early goal, but controlled much of the attack for the duration of the match, ultimately leading to a penalty kick attempt in the 80th minute. Senior
Jose Antonio Herrera cashed in on the opportunity for his team-high fifth goal of the season to help secure the draw.
The point was a welcome result for the Jaguars, snapping a five-game losing skid in Horizon League play.
"The next step is just being hungry. We've worked on it all week, having a desire to make those runs when times get difficult," head coach
Keegan Boom said. "It's a hot day today. I thought the boys did a really good job on executing moments wherever they're tired, and it's the most difficult part of the game. Continuing that, maintaining our fitness and that desire to go and win a game on the box."
An errant clearance in the 14th minute helped RMU's Riley Cotton get free for his third tally of the season, giving the visiting Colonials (4-4-4, 1-1-3 HL) a quick 1-0 lead. Both teams were pretty punchless otherwise in the first half as Cotton had a quality chance hit the left post in the 43rd minute and IU Indy (3-6-2, 0-5-1 HL) freshman
Thomas Weinrich got in behind the RMU defense in the 33rd minute, but fired high of target. Herrera closed the first half with a long distance blast in the final minute that was saved by RMU keeper Josh Lane for a corner kick. Herrera hit a harmless shot off target on the ensuing corner.
The Jaguars were the more aggressive team in the second half, leading to a 15-6 shot advantage and 7-2 margin in shots on goal.
The hosts finally tallied, beginning with a Weinrich tester on frame off a brilliant
Jayden Quezada feed. Lane stopped the initial attempt, but the ball caromed perilously at the six-yard box and RMU's Miguel Dominguez was called for a foul while trying to clear the loose ball. Herrera cashed in with just more than 10 minutes remaining to level the match. While the Jaguars stayed on the attack, largely behind Weinrich and
Luke Gonda on the left side, they were unable to find a go-ahead goal late.
The best offensive chance came in the 87th minute when
Santiago Sanchez had his corner kick recycled back to his side of the field and his rip from the left flank was cleared away.
Herrera, Sanchez and Weinrich all attempted a game-high three shots while Field recorded one save. The six shots allowed by the IU Indy defense were the fewest by an opponent this season.
The Jaguars won't play again until a non-conference match at Bellarmine on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 4:00 p.m.
