Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The IUPUI women's soccer team and Western Michigan hooked up for three 45-minute periods on Thursday afternoon in preseason action, as the host Broncos were victorious, 6-1. In all, Head Coach Chris Johnson played 21 different players and eight rookies in the squad's lone preseason primer.

"A lot of players played a lot," Johnson said. "We were happy with what our starters were able to do. When we went to our subs, some did okay and some struggled."

IUPUI played the first 24 minutes before making its first substitutions, and took an early 1-0 lead. Freshman Margaret Allgeier set up the game's first goal by serving a free kick into the middle of the 18-yard box. Junior Katrina McCrory was able to steady the loose ball before grounding a shot into the right third of the net. 

"Kat did what Kat does best," Johnson said. "She does a good job of being around the ball and making good things happen. That's something we're going to need more of."

WMU's Stephanie Skowneski tied the score less than five minutes later, but the Jaguars narrowly missed retaking the lead early in the second stanza. Sophomore Amanda Snyder had a shot saved by WMU keeper Sarah Phillips and deflect off the crossbar. The Jags had two ensuing corner kick opportunities go by the boards without a shot attempt, keeping the score tied. 

Western's Cassndra Nelson rolled a shot just over the endline against junior goalkeeper Jamie Farrell early in the second period before both sides began mass substitutions. IUPUI's last good scoring opportunity came in the 69th minute when freshman Alicia Brock split a pair of defenders, but was unable to get any pace on a shot before it was cleared off the line by a WMU defender. 

WMU's Ali Jacobs and Thalia Playford scored two goals apiece over the final 60 minutes to complete the scoring. In all, the Broncos outshot IUPUI 30-10 overall and 16-6 on net. McCrory attempted two shots for IUPUI while Farrell recorded six defensive stops. 

"We were pretty happy with the first 25 minutes," Johnson said. "There was a little drop off when we went to our bench, but we're missing some key players. I really like what Karin Demo did in the back, but our midfield is still not clicking with our forwards as well as they should. 

"We're going to continue to tinker around with the offense and we'll start getting in behind people. Part of that is just getting some people healthy."

IUPUI was without projected starters Kelly Williams and Stacy Levack and reserves Meghan Oglesby and Monica Suter, all of whom sat due to injuries. In addition, Megan Hock and Anna Pigg both played limited minutes as they've been slowed in the preseason by various ailments. 

"Originally we expected to have 24 or 25 and we started off today with just 21," Johnson said. "We've been going through two-a-days and haven't had a day off yet, so it kind of got to us down the stretch."

The Jags are expected to return to practice tomorrow in preparation for Sunday's alumni scrimmage. IUPUI opens its regular season at Detroit on Monday, August 25 at 4:00 p.m..