INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy men's soccer team kicked off their 2019 campaign Friday night at home as part of the 2019 UIndy Invitational. The Hounds hosted Oakland City at Key Stadium. Tallying three goals in the second half alone, coming up with a 4-nil victory to open the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ben Rohder got the action started in the first half for the Hounds. After a physical and competitive first 15 minutes in the game, the Hounds settled in after Rohder scored the first goal of the season off a pass from Alejandro Steinwascher to put the Hounds ahead. The Hounds would not allow the Oaks to get a shot on target until the game's 60th minute. By that time the Hounds had already doubled their lead to 2-0 from a Javier Steinwascher goal in the 55th minute. Mathias Skjeseth notched his first career goal in the 68th minute and senior Mase Koki got on the board for the first time since his sophomore year in the final minutes of the game to give UIndy the 4-0 victory.
 
Junior transfer Dimitrios Karousosmade his first start for the Greyhounds Friday night. Last year's GLIAC goalkeeper of the year had a quiet night in goal for the Hounds, only having to make one save on the night. The Ashland transfer has posted two clean sheets in his last three collegiate games dating back to his time with the Eagles.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-The Hounds have opened up back-to-back years with 4-0 shutout wins (Findlay 2018)
-UIndy held Oakland City to a single shot on goal Friday night, one less than the amount of shots on target that the Oaks had last year against the Oaks.
-Seven different Greyhounds put a shot on frame in the win. UIndy's 11 shots on goal is the most in a game since their win over USI in November 2017.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach John Higgins on UIndy's 4-0 season-opening win, "delighted to get the win. This time of the season is about learning lessons about our team and hopefully you get can get some wins while you do it. We are not as good as good as we want to be right now but we will still take the win today and we are happy with ourselves. It is a long road for us to go here to be the kind of team we want to be. Some good signs tonight, some good performances from several guys tonight, but loads for us to work on and that is how it should be this time of the season."
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds return to action in the finale of the UIndy Invitational this Sunday at Key Stadium when they host Saginaw Valley State at 2:30 pm