INDIANAPOLIS - On a night that marked another record-setting performance by goalkeeper Jessie Mann, the stalwart play in net by a pair of IUPUI goalkeepers set the tone for an impressive season-opening victory.
Mann and freshman Jamie Farrell combined for seven saves to thwart the Racer attack, and senior forward Mia Moody and freshman midfielder Katrina McCrory scored goals two minutes apart in the second half to lead the Jags to a 2-0 victory over Murray State in the season opener for both teams.
Powered by several key saves by Farrell, the Jags (1-0-0) used their speed on offense to push the tempo in their favor, outshooting the Racers (0-1-0) 10-7 in the second half en route to their first season-opening victory in the eight-year history of the program.
"They switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 in the second half," IUPUI head coach Chris Johnson said. "That helped open things up for our attack and got things going in the other direction for us."
After a scoreless first half, Murray State appeared to turn the game in its favor, pressuring Farrell, who replaced Mann at halftime, and the Jaguar defense for the first twenty minutes of the second half. However, two key saves by Farrell in the 62nd and 65th minutes, the first on a rocket from inside the eleven-yard line by Racer midfielder Jane DeWitt, helped turn the tide in the Jags' favor.
Moments later, senior Stacy Downing played a beautiful ball from midfield to junior forward Angie Pilat. Racer goalkeeper Annie Fortier ran off the back line and punched out the pass at the edge of the eighteen-yard line. Moody controlled the punch out with a right foot in a crowd of Racer defenders, and from twenty-five yards out chipped a shot over the outstretched hands of Fortier into the left corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
"I saw the goalie come out, and I knew she was off her line," said Moody. "There were several players around the ball, so I knew I had to shoot quickly. I tried to turn and shoot before the goalie recovered."
Two minutes later, the Jags regained possession. Junior midfielder Sheri Levack intercepted a Racer pass on the right wing and made a textbook cross to McCrory inside the eighteen-yard line. McCrory one-touched past Fortier to the left post for her first career goal to seal the Jags victory.
"That was a great goal," said Johnson. "She [McCrory] was a great playmaker for us the entire game. The goal was a great way to reward her efforts for the game."
Moody credited the effort of her teammates and their preparation from the end of last season for the team's fast start.
"I just try to score goals and help my team win," said Moody. "Like the other forwards, I try to do my part. We trained hard through the spring season and the off-season. The hard work paid off tonight."
Mann recorded two saves in a scoreless first half, the second of which marked 215 for her career and propelled her past Nikki Hackett for the program's all-time lead in saves.
"Jessie and Jamie both came up with huge saves," said Johnson. "Each keeper made two key saves to keep us in the game when the score was 0-0. We always talk with our keepers about keeping us in the game. I was very proud of both of them. They both did a solid job in the back of the net."
A crowd of nearly 300 was loud and upbeat throughout the match, a factor that Johnson credited to the Jags' success.
"The fans got behind us on quite a few occasions when the game was back-and-forth. We're glad that they're excited about soccer and want to watch games in a fun atmosphere. They definitely added to the game a lot."
IUPUI will look to go 2-0 on Sunday when it welcomes Eastern Michigan University to Kuntz Stadium. The Jags defeated the Eagles 1-0 in OT in 2003 in Ypsilanti in the teams' last meeting.
Sunday's match is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
