Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville men’s soccer team opened the 2012 campaign with a 2-1 victory over visiting Lipscomb Friday evening at Arad McCutchan Stadium.   Freshman Nate Opperman found the back of the net for the game-winner in the 77th minute. 
 
The Purple Aces (1-0-0) and Bisons (0-1-0) played most of the first 30 minutes in the middle of the pitch in a tightly contested and physical matchup.  Each team fired a pair of shots in the early going and tallied four for the half.
 
Junior Alex Kapsalis notched the first goal of the 2012 campaign for the Aces in the 38th minute to give UE a 1-0 advantage.  Sophomore Ryan Stallings headed a ball on the far post back in front of the net and Kapsalis delivered a strong right-footed volley past Lipscomb keeper Miguel Hof.
 
In the second half, the Purple Aces controlled much of the tempo in the early going, but it was the Bisons that found the equalizer in the 65th minute.  Lipscomb earned a free kick just outside the top, left corner of the 18-yard box and Luke Gearin found the net just inside the far post after the shot deflected off the defensive wall put up by the Aces defense.
 
Evansville regained its composure and found the game-winner in the 77th minute from the foot of freshman Nate Opperman.  Kapsalis found a streaking Opperman just inside the top of the box and Opperman did the rest, beating the keeper to the far post.
 
The Bisons nearly knotted the score again with just under 11 minutes to play, but a point blank shot by Deven Bahadoorsingh sailed just wide of the frame and the Aces defense held on to secure the win.
 
Sophomore Dylan Terry led Evansville offensively with three shots and two shots on goal.  Sophomore goalkeeper Eric Teppen stopped the only Lipscomb shot that reached the frame to earn the win between the posts.
  
The Purple Aces will return to the pitch Sunday, August 26, when they host Belmont for a 2 p.m. contest at McCutcheon Stadium.