Pikeville, KY – UPIKE men's soccer opened their 2023 season with a 3-2 loss to the IUPUC Crimson Pride Saturday afternoon. 

Gabriel Torres got the start in goal for the Bears and got off to a good start, turning away all five IUPUC first half shots. Knotted at 0-0 through 30 minutes, Henry Glackin broke the scoreless tie after a brilliant set piece by Benjamin Mclaughlan. UPIKE took the 1-0 lead into halftime. 

IUPUC turned up the heat early in the second half, dominating possession through the first ten minutes. The Crimson Pride finally broke through and tied the game in the 53'. After a back and forth next ten minutes, the Bears got a few good looks on net. Then, newcomer Ben Beltermann broke the tie in the 67'. The Crimson Pride stormed back on the ensuing kickoff and tied the game less than 30 seconds later in the 68'. 

With the score tied and both teams looking for a result, the teams traded turns opportunities until IUPUC netted their third goal in the 75'. Trailing 3-2, the Bears were searching for the tying goal inside 15 minutes. UPIKE's best chance to tie it came after a header by Juan Pablo Farkas in the 85'. Farkas' header did not find twine and the Bears fell 3-2. 

Gabrial Torres finished the game having stopped four of IUPUC's seven shots. On the scoresheet, the goals scored by Henry Glackin and Ben Beltermann were their first of the season and the first of their UPIKE careers.  

The Bears are 0-1 following Saturday's result. Coach Shaun Schetka's squad will hit the pitch again next Saturday in Eaton, Ohio where they will take on the Midway Eagles.  

#BearDown