Aces battle but fall to top-ranked Indiana, 4-0

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Facing the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, the University of Evansville men's soccer team battled, but fell to top-ranked Indiana, 4-0, in a non-conference match on Tuesday night in Bloomington, Indiana.

"We gave up the goal early but came back and caused them some trouble with the numbers we had in the midfield," said Aces' head coach Marshall Ray. "Against the number one team in the nation, they put a lot of pressure on us. They're a good team. I think working hard and battling the whole time is not a problem for us. We can do that and we've shown the ability to do that."

Five Aces fired a shot in the loss with junior forward Zac Blaydes and senior defender Cameron Gilreath each putting one on-frame. In goal, sophomore Frederik Reimer tied his career-high with seven saves, allowing two goals in the loss. Mason Toye led the way for the Hoosiers with a pair of goals on three shots, while Andrew Gutman and Thomas Warr also scored for Indiana.

The Hoosiers struck early as Toye scored the first for Indiana in the sixth minute on a shot from 25 yards out that found the back of the net on a counter attack.

Evansville was not without its own scoring chances in the first half as Blaydes ripped a shot from 15 yards out that Hoosier goalkeeper Trey Muse snagged. Despite the early goal from Indiana, the Aces were able to hold off the Hoosiers for the final 39 minutes of the half, heading into halftime down just a goal.

In the 58th minute, Indiana found its second goal off a set piece that Gutman headed into the net far post. Less than ten minutes later, the Hoosiers fired a shot that sent Reimer out to deflect it. Toye found himself in position following the rebound and scored for his second goal of the evening.

In the final two minutes, Indiana added another goal as Warr made a long run down the pitch following an Aces' turnover and scored one-on-one.

Indiana out-shot the Aces, 23-5, in the match while Evansville and the Hoosiers were even on corner kicks at five apiece.

The Aces return to Missouri Valley Conference action on Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Valparaiso on the road in Valparaiso, Ind..

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