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INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women’s soccer team was held scoreless for its third match in a row as the Jaguars fell to Summit League-leader Western Illinois 1-0 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on a chilly Saturday (Oct. 6) afternoon. WIU’s Sloane Levin scored the game’s lone goal in the 14th minute off a free kick, resulting from an IUPUI foul just beyond the top of the 18.

IUPUI dropped to 2-11-1 overall and 0-2-1 in Summit League play, while Western Illinois climbed to 11-2 overall and an undefeated 3-0 in league play.

“We have to find a way to score goals. We’ve been working on it for the last three weeks,” head coach Chris Johnson said. “We know it’s something we have to do better. That theme isn’t going to change. We’ll keep plugging away until we can find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.”

The Jaguars had several opportunities to score, including an attempt in the 31st minute on a free kick from senior Kelli Parks and again in the 47th minute when freshman Kalli Shepler-Tucker’s shot missed just outside the right post. Later, a volley in the 85th minute from freshman Grace Perkowitz barely missed making it over the head of 6-foot-5 WIU goalkeeper Laura Atkinson.

Shepler-Tucker led the Jaguars offense with a season-high six shots, including putting four on goal. IUPUI's been scoreless for 290 straight minutes at home following a 4-1 win at DePauw two weeks ago.

Aside from the offensive struggles, IUPUI goalkeeper Giselle Guzman played tough between the posts with six saves. Guzman silenced the Leathernecks’ offense after its first half goal by Levin. 

Levin drilled her free kick opportunity into the upper left-hand corner of the net, just beyond Guzman's sprawling attempt for her third score of the season.

“We see ourselves in practice. We’re scoring goals. We’re making runs. We’ve improved as a team from day one. It’s just frustrating that we can’t see that translate from practice to a game,” Guzman said. “I think defensively we’re there. We just have to finish.”

In spite of the loss, Johnson believes the team is making progress. He says its ability to control the possession of the ball has been better, and the player’s attitudes remain positive.

“It’s been positive. It’s a great group of kids, and everything we’ve asked them to do, they’ve been doing,” said Johnson. “It is tough to go out game after game with a loss. It’s not what we’re used to doing.”

Western outshot IUPUI 14-12 with Sarah Hall attempting three tries. Brooke Barczewski, Parks and Perkowitz attempted two shots each with both of Perkowitz's being on frame.

Atkinson finished with eight saves in the victory.

IUPUI has a six-day break and a chance to break back to even in conference play when the Jaguars travel to South Dakota State Friday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. and North Dakota State on Sunday, Oct. 14, at noon.