Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - The IUPUI men's soccer team's 2008 season got off to an ominous start on Friday night as the Jaguars dropped a 3-0 decision to Northern Illinois in the opening match of the Northwestern Lakeside Classic. NIU netted the game-winning goal just 34 ticks into the match and coasted from there, outshooting the Jags 16-6 overall and 8-3 on net. 

"We kind of got knocked back on our heels and were never really into the match," IUPUI Head Coach Steve Franklin said. "You could tell Northern Illinois has had a taste of the NCAA Tournament - they really came out with a lot of confidence.

"We were kind of our own worst enemies tonight."

NIU's Juan Boyos scored the game's first two goals and Jason Guehler added some insurance early in the second half. 

Boyos got a favorable bounce on the game's first goal as IUPUI senior goalkeeper David Barszczowski and outside back Weston Hawkins miscommunicated on the play, leading to the score. Boyos showed some flair for the spectacular in the 20th minute, scoring on a bicycle kick from just beyond the eight-yard box. Engebreth Faerden set up the play, sending a centering pass into the NIU striker who had slipped between IUPUI's two center backs. 

The Huskies (1-0) got an insurance goal 27 seconds into the second half when Bryan Abdallah played a through ball to Guehler, who toed a shot past Barszczowski from in close.

IUPUI's (0-1) best scoring chances of the night came in the 75th minute when freshman Javier Portillo, who had just entered the match, had a shot glance off the post. Fellow rookie Matt Guy also had a shot narrowly miss early in the second half. 

The Jaguars are still seeking their first goal of the year, including both preseason matches. 

"We're still trying to find some chemistry with the guys up front," Franklin said. "We haven't solved the scoring woes, but we're going to keep changing some things until we make it work."

NIU goalkeeper Joe Zimka recorded three saves in the shutout while Barszczowski made five stops in 67 minutes work. Freshman Tyler Keever made his collegiate debut, mopping up the final 23 minutes of the match. 

IUPUI will cap the weekend by taking on host Northwestern on Sunday at Lakeside Field. Northwestern comes in ranked No. 16 by College Soccer News and No. 20 by the NSCAA. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.