KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Leading off their toughest two-game road stretch of the season, the UIndy men's soccer team faced off against the Truman Bulldogs on a rainy Friday night in northern Missouri. The Bulldogs were looking to get their first conference win of the year against the Hounds, who are coming off a thrilling-win over GLVC-leading Southern Indiana last time out. The conditions got the best of both teams today, but one still managed to make it out on top.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams came out firing early, Alejandro Steinwascher got off a couple of shots early on but missing wide on both. Truman eventually got the both on their side of the field and put the shot on target, but it was not getting past Miles Palmer in goal for the Hounds. UIndy got out of trouble after the Palmer save, worked the ball back down the field, and connected in the 22nd minute. Javier Steinwascher was awarded a penalty kick and made the most of his opportunity, giving UIndy a 1-nil lead halfway through the first half. UIndy held down things from there in the first despite some chippy play and took the 1-0 lead into the break.
 
Much like the first half, both teams came out aggressive on the offensive side early in the game's final half of play. UIndy was unable to connect on shots from Steinwascher, Benjamin Sierra, and Ian Vicars, but shortly after a shot found the back of the net. This time it was Truman getting on the board to tie things up. Little over 10 minutes later, Truman connected on another goal, and less than two minutes after that they connected on another goal. Truman was down 1-0 for over 40 minutes of play, and little over 20 minutes later they were leading 3-1. UIndy did not let the momentum shift get to them and stuck to what they do best, playing to their strengths of playing fast and physical. With less than 15 minutes to go, Alejandro Steinwascher took a pass from Sierra to cut the Hounds deficit to one heading into the late stages of the game. The Hounds kept the Bulldog defense and goalkeeper busy, getting four shots on goal in the final 10 minutes of the game, but coming up empty and eventually falling 3-2.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-Three goals given up in one game matches the Hounds most this season, they also gave up three goals in last week's defeat at Maryville.
-UIndy managed to get half of their shots on target tonight, making it the fourth-straight game in which they have done that.
-Miles Palmer had a season-high four saves between the posts tonight, the most he has had in a game since the GLVC championship game last year against Southern Indiana.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach John Higgins on his team's performance and the tough playing conditions, "very tough field conditions today which made it hard to play soccer. Our boys worked hard and were really unlucky not to go up 2-0 and put the game out of reach. We did not take our chances and Truman was efficient going forward. We got a great response from the boys at the end of the game and the Truman goal keeper made some great saves. I cannot question our work rate and commitment, we were just a bit unlucky today."
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds continue their two-game road trip Sunday when they head to Rockhurst for a Sunday afternoon game in Kansas City against the Hawks.