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INDIANAPOLIS - On a muggy night in Indianapolis, the North Dakota State Bison (5-6) were just a little quicker than the Jaguars (4-4-3) and came away with the 2-0 win. After the opening goal in the 35th minute, the result was never in doubt as the Jaguars managed only a few scoring opportunities but never capitalized. 

The match was scoreless for the majority of the first half, but NDSU was in complete control. They outshot the Jaguars 10-4 and had four corner kicks. The Jaguars had no corner kicks the entire match.

"They didn't allow us to play in behind them," said head coach Chris Johnson. "We kind of panicked a little bit and turned the ball over too much in the first half. We spotted them a lead off a turnover at midfield that allowed them to get to the top of the 18 and get a shot."

The first shot attempt was deflected to the left side about fifteen yards out. IUPUI goalie Giselle Guzman was caught out of position and NDSU's Anisha Kinnarath was able to get a shot off and give the Bison a 1-0 lead. 

Three times in the first half, the IUPUI defense struggled to clear a ball rolling dangerously in front of the net. Senior Kristin Pierce, who normally starts on the back line for IUPUI, was out tonight and her presence was missed as the NDSU attack routinely put pressure on Guzman. Guzman recorded six saves including knocking a Steph Jacobson 30-yard laser over the goalpost, but it was not enough. 

The bright spot for IUPUI was senior defender Sarah Carlisle. "Sarah Carlisle really emerged out there as a player that's gonna show us how to win games," said Johnson. "Her effort level and her work rate the entire game was second to none and she was the best player on the field by far."

Carlisle was moved into the midfield in the second half to help create more scoring opportunities, but IUPUI could not get anything going and the defense continued to struggle with the NDSU attack.

NDSU's Lauren Miller, tied with Kinnarath with four goals to lead the Bison coming into tonight's match, had an open run into the left side of the 18-yard box before she crossed over IUPUI defender Lauren Kulaga and sent a shot directly at the goal. Guzman made a terrific save and knocked the ball past the right goal post for a corner kick in the 57th minute.

In the 62nd minute, NDSU's Sheri Fitzsimmons sent in a cross from the right side and Kinnarath headed the ball into the right side of the net from ten yards out for the Bison's second goal. 

This was the opening match in conference play for both sides. IUPUI moved to 0-1 in conference while NDSU is now 1-0. IUPUI will continue its homestand this Sunday (Oct. 6) when it takes on South Dakota State University at 1 p.m. at Carroll Stadium. The match will be free and open to the public although standard university parking rates will apply.

Sunday's match is part of 'White Out Weekend' as IUPUI is urging fans in attendance to wear white to that match.