INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian men's soccer team embarked on their 2023 season on Wednesday night, opening their slate with an exhibition contest at IUPUI. Interim head coach James Jenkins' squad showed promise in their first showcase of the season, playing to a draw in their first contest of the year with a 1-1 result against Jaguars in the friendly. 

Marian played strong against IUPUI throughout the opening 45 minutes of the match, playing stout defense with the Jaguars owning possession for much of the first half. Keeper Juan Torres was forced into early action, facing seven total shots in his half of work. Between Torres and his back line, the Knights were able to hold IUPUI scoreless for the first 35 minutes of the match, but in the 37th minute Emerson Nieto was able to rip a shot past the keeper for the game's opening goal. Marian held the Jaguars off the board for the remainder of the half, and threatened at times with five first half corner kicks, but came up empty in a scoring chance.

In the second half the Knights offense out-matched that of IUPUI's, as Marian held a 4-2 shot advantage in the final 45. Marian found the equalizing goal in the 56th minute, as Sebastian Gonzalez ripped a long shot in for a goal after Kelton Hooker set up the senior striker. Alvaro Rueda took over in goal for the final 45 minutes, and did his part to hold the draw following Gonzalez's goal, as he and the defensive unit allowed just two shot attempts. 

The game would end in a draw after neither team produced a score in the final 34 minutes of play, with the result standing at 1-1. Sebastian Gonzalez led Marian in shot attempts with three, taking one of the two shots on goal for his team in the game. Phillip Seifert and Brandon Santos would take the other shots on goal in the match, while Miguel Luna and Keiji Nakamae each took one shot. Torres made one save in the match while Rueda did not see a shot on frame in his half of action.

Marian trailed the match in corner kicks 11-7, and trailed in total possession 56/44. Two Knights saw a full 90 minutes of work in the lone tune up match of the season, with Kyle Alb and Sam Goodin playing the entire match.

Marian will return to action in seven days time, as they begin the regular season on the road at Indiana Tech. The first official game of the 2023 season is set for a 7 p.m. start in Fort Wayne.

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