The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team defeated the University of Illinois Springfield’s Prariestars 5-4 on Oct. 7.

The Greyhounds were led in goals by Freshman Reid Strain who had three goals in the match. Strain also led the Greyhounds in shots with eight in the match.

Although the Prariestars out-scored the Greyhounds in the second half, 4-3, the Greyhounds had two goals in the first half, giving UIndy the victory.

UIndy visited Quincy University on Oct. 5, and finished the match with a 0-0 double-overtime draw with the Hawks.

The Greyhounds took 17 shots during the match but failed to score any points, compared to the Hawks who took 27 shots and also failed to score a goal.

Redshirt junior back Roger Lee led the Greyhounds in shots, taking six shots total in the match.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Verhonik allowed no goals in the match, making 10 saves in goal.

UIndy fell to the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles 5-1 on Sept. 30 at Key Stadium.

The match featured much offensive production by the Screaming Eagles, as Southern Indiana’s senior midfielder Jeffrey McClure scored the final four goals of the match in the 33rd, 54th, 66th and 70th minutes.

Strain led the Greyhounds with five shots in the match, including their only goal of the match in the 58th minute made on a long ball sent from freshman back/midfielder Paul Scheipeter.

Verhonik made six saves in goal during the loss to the Screaming Eagles.

Senior forward Bobby Adkins said that the team loss was due to the Greyhounds’ lack of readiness.

“We came out a little flat, and the other team took it to us. They came out with a faster start, and we couldn’t match their intensity,” Adkins said.

UIndy defeated the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers 4-0 on Sept. 28 at Key Stadium.

The Greyhounds’ first goal of the match came from Scheipeter, who caught a pass from junior midfielder Kevin Eggert in the 11th minute.

After halftime, Eggert scored the second goal of the match, with an assist from Adkins, to bring the score to 2-0. The Greyhounds’ senior midfielder Rieko Trott scored the team’s fourth goal on a ball driven across the box by freshman forward Ahmed Mitiche.

Verhonik made two saves in goal to help the Greyhounds in their victory.

Senior back Ryan Barnett said that the team’s approach heading into the match was the one  the team needed.

“We all came in with the right attitude. We were motivated, we knew we needed to get a win, and we played as a team,” Barnett said.

Head Men’s Soccer Coach John Higgins said that putting up the first score can go a long way for the team.

“We knew if we got the first goal then we could get two or three or four. It was just really important to get that first goal, and we got it at a really good point in the game.”

Higgins explained that in addition to scoring, passing is a key component to the team’s success.

“We passed the ball really well. And when we pass the ball, we end up doing really well,” Higgins said.

The Greyhounds will host Missouri-St. Louis at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 12  and Maryville on Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m.