INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis men's soccer team scored a season-high three goals, including one in the final tick of the contest, as the Jaguars played Western Illinois to a 3-3 draw in non-conference action at Carroll Stadium on Tuesday night (Sept. 22).
Christian Nielsen inched a shot just over the endline as the final seconds ticked off to salvage a 3-3 outcome.
Western Illinois (2-4-2) had scored a game-tying goal in the 78th minute and a go-ahead goal in the 88th minute to seemingly secure a win. However, the Jaguars pulled off a miracle in the final seconds, beginning with a restart just inside midfield in which two seconds were added to the clock by the referee, giving the hosts nine seconds with which to work.
On the restart, the ball stayed tucked in amongst a scrum inside the WIU six-yard box before popping free to Nielsen, who rolled in a goal, just ahead of the final countdown.
"We needed points and we got one at the end of the day," head coach
Keegan Boom said. "We're obviously coming off of a bad stretch of results, some good performances, some moments where we created a lot of chances. We continued that tonight. It's the first game this year that we've scored more than one goal, (so) it's a step in the positive direction."
Things started positive for the Jaguars as
Thomas Weinrich spotted Sanchez for the game's first goal in the 13th minute. The freshmen connected with Sanchez flaring a shot just over WIU goalkeeper Harvey Bolland for his first collegiate tally. The Jags returned the favor in the 20th minute when Xavier Gagnon scored from the penalty spot after an IU Indy defender was whistled for a handball inside the 18-yard box.
Things remained level until the 73rd minute when
Jose Antonio Herrera got free for a brilliant strike off a nifty through ball from Sanchez. Freshman
Cobe Hamler started the play with a pass to Sanchez, who fed Herrera's team-high fourth goal of the season.
"Some draws feel like wins and tonight that's certainly the case; getting one back very late," Boom said. "(The) performance overall on the attacking side continues to be good. We continue to be dangerous, creating chances and that's what we're looking to build momentum on going into Oakland."
Fernando Adrados Castro and Gagnon also scored for WIU in the draw.
Freshman
Vicente Silva made two saves and allowed the penalty kick in his first collegiate start before being lifted following Herrera's goal due to injury.
Peter Field came off the bench to allow a pair of scores and was credited with the outcome in net.
Sanchez led the attack with three shots as IU Indy attempted 14 shots, putting five on target.
The Jaguars will return to Horizon League play on Saturday (Sept. 26) when they head to Oakland for a 1:00 p.m. kick on ESPN+.
