INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Several underclassmen shined for the Green Bay men's soccer team on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon in Central Indiana, helping defeat IUPUI 2-1. A first-half score from sophomore Chris Album and a late second-half goal from sophomore Tommy Coughlin proved to be enough for the victory.
Coughlin's 84th-minute dagger also marked his first career goal.
With the win, Green Bay improved to 5-3-5 (3-3-2 HL), while the Jaguars dropped to 6-6-3 (4-2-1 HL).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Phoenix was able to tally the game's first three shots in the opening 11:38, but it was the Jaguars' first attempt that found the back of the net. Lukas Hackaa was set up by Dominic Breidenbach for the opening score in the 14th minute.
Besides a shot from IUPUI's Emerson Nieto, there wasn't much offense for the next 15 minutes. GB was able to put some pressure on IUPUI in the 28th minute. Moments later, Josh Johansen pushed the ball into the box, eventually finding the team's leading scorer, Chris Album, who deflected it off a Jaguar to tie the game 1-1 in the 29th minute. The score would remain 1-1 going into intermission.
Green Bay kept attacking IUPUI in the second frame, finding space for shots on goal from Andrew Paolucci, Johansen, So Nishikawa, and Keegan Walker. Despite the effort, Jaguar goalkeeper Lucas Morefield denied each opportunity, keeping the game at 1-1 through 80 minutes of action. Things finally came together in the 84th minute, spurred by a Paolucci pass to Keegan Walker. Walker streaked up the sideline before blasting a shot that was dropped by Morefield. The ball found the right foot of Tommy Coughlin, who buried the difference-maker. GB's stingy defense staved off IUPUI in the final six minutes to secure three huge points in the HL standings with a 2-1 win.
GAME NOTES
- Green Bay outshot IUPUI 15-9 overall and 7-2 on goal.
- The Phoenix forced five saves from Morefield.
- Jake Parish and Paolucci paced GB with three shots apiece.
- Each squad racked up 18 fouls.
COMING UP
The Phoenix will return to Titletown for its final two regular season home games. The Phoenix will welcome St. Thomas on Tuesday (4 p.m.) before hosting Oakland next Saturday (1 p.m.).
EYE ON THE LEAGUE
Green Bay currently sits in third place in the Horizon League, pending the results of tonight's Purdue Fort Wayne-Cleveland State match (6 p.m., ESPN+). Wright State and Detroit Mercy also play this evening (6 p.m.), with the Titans currently tied with CSU (eight points) in fifth place. To stay up-to-date on the playoff push, click here.
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