Box Score
FARGO, ND - After a lackluster performance on Friday, the IUPUI women's soccer team bounced back with a 3-0 win over South Dakota State on Sunday in the NDSU Bison Invitational.
"This was the best we've looked all year," IUPUI head coach Chris Johnson said. "We moved the ball quickly and aggressively and did a great job of playing front to back."
Junior midfielder Jennifer Scorniaenchi netted her first-ever score in the 13th minute for the eventual game-winner. Sophomore Emily Hicks sent a free kick into the box from 35 yards out, which Scorniaenchi headed past SDSU goalkeeper Jenn Davis.
Just over a minute later, SDSU (3-2-1) had an opportunity to tie the match when Erin Kasmarik was awarded a penalty kick opportunity. Fortunately for the Jags, freshman goalkeeper Jamie Farrell was equal to the task, recording the first of her career-high seven saves, including stopping two PK's.
IUPUI (3-2-1) took a 2-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a timely substitution by Johnson. Junior Angie Pilat had been in the match for nearly three minutes when she took advantage of a defensive miscue for her team-best third score of the year.
Pilat picked off a poorly played pass, before hitting a shot from just inside the 18-yard box past Davis in the 35th minute.
South Dakota State countered early in the second half by putting a flurry on net before being awarded a second penalty kick after a foul in the box. This time, Maggie Eilers tested Farrell, who again made the save in her first career shutout. She had previously split a pair of shutouts with senior goalkeeper Jessie Mann.
Freshman Katrina McCrory capped the scoring in the 68th minute when she chipped a shot over the defense past SDSU reserve goalkeeper Nicole Lograsso. It marked her second tally of the year.
"The girls played incredibly well." Johnson said. "Jamie (Farrell) did a terrific job in goal, especially stopping the two PK's.
"It was just a good overall win for us. The back line did a really good job."
Johnson especially applauded the efforts of senior Samantha Sliney, who marked Kasmarik for much of the match.
"Sam really frustrated her," Johnson said. "When we watched them (SDSU) on Friday, we really thought she was their best player up top. Sam kind of took her out of her game today."
Both teams had 18 shot attempts, while SDSU led on goal 7-6. Pilat led IUPUI with four shots, while Hicks tried three. Natasha Swift led SDSU with three attempts.
IUPUI's three goals marked a season-high and were the most since the Jags netted three in last year's season finale win over Oral Roberts. The Jags finished in second place in this weekend's NDSU Bison Invitational, while Hicks, Farrell and Lisa Gebhard were named to the 11-player All-Tournament Team.
The Jags return to action on Friday when they trek to Shreveport, La. to face Centenary in their Mid-Continent Conference opener. That match is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m..
