The IUPUI Men’s Soccer team has finally won a game. They defeated Horizon League opponent Detroit Mercy 1-0 on Sept. 8. Their last victory came on Nov. 5 of 2016 against Eastern Illinois. Since then, the team has endured a grueling 20-game losing streak which included an 0-9 start to Horizon League play.
“This has been a longtime coming,” said junior midfielder Pedro Valladao. “We put in a lot of effort every day and I feel like we deserved this win.”
Saturday night was certainly not a clash of Horizon League heavyweights. Detroit Mercy and IUPUI were predicted to finished eighth and ninth, respectively, in the nine-team Horizon league.
It was a disgusting night for soccer. The pouring rain and heavy gusts seemed more appropriate for a dramatic maritime movie scene rather than a September night soccer match.
In the first half, it was evident the poor weather was taking its toll. Both teams seemed slowed by it. Runs often ended with attackers slipping, and corner kicks were ineffective as players could hardly see the ball. The first half ended with hardly any shots on goal, a 0-0 tie.
There was a noted spike in aggression in the second half, but only from the IUPUI side. They pressed the attack on Detroit Mercy, at one point forcing three straight corner kicks, all of which failed. It wasn’t until the 74th minute that junior Pedro Valladao buried what would prove to be the game-winner.
While Vallado will go down in IUPUI lore as the man who broke the 20-game losing streak, equal (if not more) credit is due to goalkeeper Quin McCallion. The freshman from England played out of his mind on Saturday. The 5’11” keeper played like he was 6’8”, at one point punching away a looping chip that would have certainly dropped into the goal.
“It was a huge Horizon league game,” said McCallion. “I just love coming out here with the boys. It was a great game and a great win for us.”
The Jaguars have a chance to make it a two-game winning streak on Wednesday Sept. 12 at Eastern Illinois, one of two teams they’ve beaten in the past two years. Horizon League play will resume Sept. 15 at Carroll Stadium against UIC, the defending Horizon League champions.
“We feel great, but we haven’t won anything yet,” said Vallado. “Our goal is to win the Horizon League.”
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