BOX SCORE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville men's soccer team closed its preseason schedule by playing to a 0-0 draw with visiting Indianapolis Sunday night at Arad McCutchan Stadium.  The Purple Aces held the Greyhounds to just one shot on goal, but could not find the game-winner.
 
Eight different Evansville players attempted in a shot in the match and the Aces were able to put five of their shots on frame, as juniors Nick Schroeder and Joel Craig, and freshman Jared Robinson led UE offensively with two shots apiece. 
 
"It was unfortunate that we were not able to get a goal, because I think we created some really good chances in the first half," head coach Mike Jacobs said.  "I think if we finish one of those chances, then I think we may be talking about a 3-0 win instead of a 0-0 draw."
 
Junior goalkeeper Eric Teppen made the lone save for Evansville and combined for the shutout with freshman keeper Erik Hagan, who played the final 24:14 between the posts.
 
"It's frustrating, because I think we played very well defensively," Jacobs said.  "We not only didn't allow a goal this preseason, we only allowed one shot on goal in this game.  If we continue to be stingy like that, we are going to be very difficult to score on.  Now we need to execute in the final third of the field and if we do that, we are going to be a tough team to play against."
 
The Aces tested Indianapolis goalkeeper Andrew Verhonik three times in the first 45 minutes of action and outshout UIndy, 8-2, in the opening stanza.
 
Indianapolis' best scoring chance came in the 19th minute, when Zak Mitiche put a diving header on goal, but Teppen was there to make the save.  UE's best first-half chance came in the 27 th minute, when junior Dylan Terry turned a long pass into a breakaway opportunity, but Verhonik was able to come off of his line and make a diving save to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Greyhounds took six shots to Evansville's three in the second half, but the Aces notched the only two shots on goal.  The first came in the came in the 84 th minute, when it appeared that the Aces would take lead as they caught Verhonik off his line, but a shot by Schroeder was cleared off the line by UIndy's Brendon Widau. 
 
The final attempt came in the closing seconds of the match, as Craig let a shot fly from inside the center circle, but Verhonik was there to make the save just before time expired.
 
Mitiche led all players with three shots for UIndy and posted Indianapolis' lone shot on goal.  Five other Greyhounds combined for the other five shots.
 
"Most of the first month of the college soccer season is played on Friday and Sunday, so I think it was a good experience for our guys to play our exhibition games in that format," Jacobs said.  "I think we had some guys with heavy legs out here and it is hard for them to get through two games in three days right now.  It is a good learning experience for them and with a veteran team, it is definitely a great learning experience for some of our younger guys."
 
Evansville will open its regular season Friday, Aug. 30, at The Hotels of Grand Prairie Classic in Peoria, Ill.  The Aces will open the two-day event with a match against Massachusetts at 4:30 p.m.