"It felt really good to be back out there after having to sit out last week and watch the team," said Downing, a transfer from Central Michigan. "This is the first time our offense has really clicked and that we've had everybody who is capable of being up there, actually be on the field.

"There was a lot of progression, obviously."

IUPUI opened the match on the attack as senior Molly Haag (Brownsburg, Ind./Brebeuf) rattled a shot off the right post in the first minute and had two shots and a corner kick in the match's first 58 seconds.

However, Youngstown State struck first when Sadie Brookman threaded through a disjointed IUPUI defense and laced a shot past junior goalkeeper Jessie Mann (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) in the 12th minute.

Less than 30 seconds later, the Jags tied things up and showed some of the offensive punch that head coach Chris Johnson had been looking for. Downing slipped a short centering pass to a streaking Angie Pilat (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central), who beat goalkeeper Jessica Yarter to the far post for her first goal of the season.

From there, both teams were held scoreless until halftime, although IUPUI enjoyed an 11-1 shot differential in the first 45 minutes.

Downing got the game-winner in the 55th minute, thanks to a nifty defensive play by freshman Mary Galouzis (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point). Galouzis was able to stop a Youngstown defender from clearing the ball and fortunately centered the ball to Downing. Downing proceeded to slide a shot past Yarter for her first-ever goal in an IUPUI uniform.

Downing added some insurance in the 73rd minute when sophomore Sheri Levack (Portage, Ind./Portage) played a ball up the right side to freshman Cori Martin (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central). Martin then crossed a pass to Downing, who notched the multi-goal game.

Junior Mia Moody (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) capped the scoring with assists from Martin and Joan Vidimos (Chesterton, Ind./Andrean) in the 78th minute.

For the match, the aggressive IUPUI offense outshot Youngstown State 20-6 overall and 9-2 on goal.

"I think in the first half, we had the opportunities there, we just didn't put them away," Johnson said. "We'd either be a half-step behind where we needed to be on a couple balls.

"It's still a matter of a little unfamiliarity with some of the girls. We've moved some kids around and made some changes, and they're still getting used to it."

Defensively, Mann made just one stop while Yarter made five saves for the Penguins.

IUPUI returns to action on Sunday when they face Lipscomb in the backend of a men's and women's soccer doubleheader. The match is slated to start at approximately 2:00 pm, while Vidimos will be awarded the Michael A. Carroll Scholarship plaque immediately before the match.