Men’s soccer improves record
The University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team visited the Bellarmine University Knights on Sept. 23 and finished the match in double overtime with a 1-1 tie.
The Greyhounds freshman back/midfielder Paul Scheipeter had his first goal of his collegiate career off a free kick following a foul committed by Bellarmine. The Knights tied the score up with a goal from Justin Klenke in the 35th minute of play. In the overtime periods, Bellarmine failed to score a goal off of four shots taken, while the Greyhounds had no shots.
UIndy traveled to McKendree University on Sept. 21, and defeated the Bearcats 5-0.
The match remained scoreless for the first 45 minutes, until a goal from freshman forward Reid Strain at the 49th minute of the match, giving the Greyhounds the lead 1-0. The Greyhounds added four more goals within the remaining minutes of the match, and redshirt sophomore goalie Andrew Verhonik allowed no goals for the third time in the season.
UIndy traveled to Missouri S&T on Sept. 16 and was defeated 1-0 by the Miners.
The loss extended the Greyhounds’ losing streak to three in a row. The only goal of the contest came in the second half by the Miner’s Peter Vaccaro.
UIndy took 21 shots total in the match, led by senior back Corey Nelson, who took a total of five shots, including two on goal. Missouri S&T took 20 total shots, with 11 on goal. The 10 saves by redshirt Verhonik was a career high for him.
On Sept. 14, the soccer team had its first away game of the regular season at Drury, where the Greyhounds were defeated 3-1.
Freshman forward Reid Strain had the team’s only goal on a penalty kick, marking his sixth goal of the season. Strain took four shots in the match, while freshman back/midfield Julian Shamsaie took three. Verhonik established only one save on the day, taking the loss in goal.
The Greyhounds also faced Rockhurst on Sept. 9 at home, where they were handed their first loss of the GLVC season, 3-2.
Strain scored two goals on the day, one in the 35th minute of play and the other in the 64th. Strain also led UIndy with five shots on the day, while junior midfielder Kevin Eggert had three.
The Hawk’s Mark Magee, however, was able to score two goals of his own with one from Lucas De Rossi that together helped the Hawks defeat the Greyhounds 3-2. Verhonik took the loss in goal, saving four shots in the match.
On Sept. 8, the Greyhounds made up a match against William Jewell College, after the game was postponed the previous day because of severe weather. The Greyhounds won the match 2-0.
The Greyhound’s first goal came in the 72nd minute of the match, assisted by Scheipeter and sent in by Strain. The second goal of the match came off a header by senior midfielder Rieko Trott in the 81st minute of the match. Strain and Nelson led the Greyhounds with four shots each, and Verhonik claimed the win in goal with three saves in the match.
Head Men’s Soccer Coach John Higgins said that this year’s team is one with inexperience and is aware of what the team needs to correct from last season.
“We have four or five starting freshman this year,” Higgins said. “Last season, I think we peaked too early.”
Higgins also mentioned last year’s nine game winning streak and said that he believes this year’s team can be successful as well.
“This year, we have the talent. We just need to get on the same page,” Higgins said.
Strain agrees with Higgins and said that he has high hopes for this year’s team.
“I think we have what it takes to have a great season,” he said.
Strain is the Greyhounds’ leading scorer so far this season. Reid has a team high six goals out of the team’s 10 this year. Despite the challenges of having senior leaders depart and freshmen taking their place, Reid said the team has no intention of lying down this season.
The Greyhounds will host Kentucky Wesleyan College at Key Stadium on Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. and the University of Southern Indiana on Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m.
