Box Score I Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf) I Kalli Shepler-Tucker Postgame I Kelli Parks Postgame

INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women's soccer team capped the 2012 home schedule with a 2-1 Summit League win over Omaha on a picture perfect Sunday (Oct. 21) afternoon at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Freshman Kalli Shepler-Tucker had the game-winning goal and an assist and sophomore Taylor Heidorn also tallied in the victory.

For an offense that's lacked firepower, the opening 20 minutes seemed like an eruption as IUPUI (3-12-2, 1-3-2 Summit) pounced out to a 2-0 lead.

"It's a relief, really," senior defender Kelli Parks said of the early lead. "Obviously, you're always going to play hard, but with a two-goal cushion, it kind of takes a little pressure off."

Heidorn deposited her first goal of the season in the 11th minute after an IUPUI offensive possession resembled a shell drill from the outset. Sophomore Brooke Barczewski hit the first attempt off a defender before the ball rolled to Shepler-Tucker at the top of the 18. Shepler-Tucker's attempt was also knocked down, but came to the opportunistic Heidorn, stationed just left of the goal. The sophomore from Avon hit her shot to the left of UNO (3-13, 3-3) goalie Meaghan Clark, who was able to deflect the ball off the far post. After a momentary delay, it was ruled a goal, giving the Jags the early 1-0 lead.

In the 19th minute, IUPUI benefited from a misplay by the Mavs back line to take a two-goal lead. Junior Sarah Carlisle sent a pass up the middle of the field where both Clark and a UNO defender were easily in position to clear the ball beyond the top of the 18. However, the ball slipped untouched between the two Mavs, leaving Shepler-Tucker running wide open onto goal for an easy finish.

"Coach has been telling me to keep my head up and to have faith in myself when I'm making runs," Shepler-Tucker said. "My first thought was I hope I don't miss this. That'd be embarrassing for everyone.

"It was really cool. I was excited. It wasn't the best goal, but it was really exciting."

Even after the early 2-0 lead, IUPUI continued the offensive dominance in the first half, outshooting the Mavs 13-2.

In the second half, the game was played much more evenly with UNO finally getting on the board in the 73rd minute. Similar to the Jags' first goal, UNO had a bevy of attackers scattered throughout the penalty area before Anna Sibson hit a bullet off the underside of the crossbar for her first goal of the year. Layla Ashouri set up the play as her initial touch sent the ball to Sibson, located on her left.

The Mavs continued to be the more dangerous team down the stretch, but junior goalkeeper Kristin Haseley helped keep the guests at bay to preserve the victory. Junior Giselle Guzman collected the win, making two saves in a clean first half before giving way to Haseley. Haseley made three stops in the final 45 minutes.

Clark had seven saves for the Mavs as both Heidorn and Shepler-Tucker tested her with four shots each.

An already physical match almost took an ugly turn in the 86th minute, sparking a skirmish between UNO's Jordyn Braun and IUPUI's Mackenzie Calvert. Braun was called for an initial foul after dragging Calvert to the ground from behind and Calvert immediately popped off the turf ready to retaliate. The situation was quickly restrained by teammate Anna Rode, who delivered a body slam of her own to Calvert to separate the two parties, who each earned yellow cards.

Parks and Leah Cage were honored after the match following their final home contest. Despite being on the outside looking in at the postseason tournament, Parks has goals ahead of her.

"We need to get two more shutouts. That's really what I want to focus on," Parks said. "Obviously, people are a little emotional after today's game, so this next week of practices, we'll get focused for next weekend and finish off the season strong."

IUPUI will hit the road one final time in the 2012 season next weekend when the Jaguars take on Oakland (Oct. 26) and Fort Wayne (Oct. 28).