IUPUI Men's Soccer vs. Oakland

The IUPUI men’s soccer team falls at home in a conference matchup with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. In the Horizon League standings, Oakland is ranked No. while IUPUI is ranked No 9. IUPUI lost 1-0 to the Grizzlies.

In the first half, IUPUI  and Oakland had some chances to score. At the 3 minute mark, Micah Sonnenberg of the Grizzlies got fouled by IUPUI’s Captain Tommy Patacca. This would set up a penalty kick for the Golden Grizzlies. The penalty kick would fail. This would set up one of the closest shots to the goal for Oakland in the first half.

The score was 0-0 at halftime.

In the second half, IUPUI had six chances to score. Instead, Oakland was able to score. At the 74:09 or 15:09, IUPUI two players go caught and Oakland player Dylan Borczak scored. This was a defensive giveaway by IUPUI. IUPUI Captain Tommy Patacca broke down the defensive error, 

“It was an awkward play and it got between two of our guys and it was unfortunate and unlucky,” he said. 

Over the season IUPUI can show they can score and defend all their games. It’s been the final minutes where something goes wrong. Head coach Brain Barnett addressed this season’s struggles.

“This season the story is we can attack and establish with good looks and fail to score to win games. We don’t get things done in the final 30 minutes of the game due to not scoring or failing to attack,” he said. 

IUPUI has two games left before the Horizon League tournament starts. IUPUI’s chances of making the tournament are very slim.

 “It’s really up to us to finish strong, we have a heart and the soul but now we have to finish strong and make a legacy for next season,” Patacca said. “ Really for us now for these final two games it’s interesting to see where we stack up and continue on the attack and learn how to win games by attacking and defending,” Barnett said.

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