Box Score I Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf) I Photo Gallery I Chris Johnson Postgame

INDIANAPOLIS - Sophomore Kalli Shepler-Tucker had a goal and an assist and classmate Grace Perkowitz netted the game-winner in the 55th minute as the IUPUI women's soccer team rolled past Northern Iowa, 2-1 on a rain soaked Sunday (Sept. 29) at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. 

IUPUI (4-3-3) wasted little time in going in front, getting a brilliant run from Shepler-Tucker into the teeth of the UNI defense in the game's fourth minute, resulting in a gorgeous header from point blank range. Senior Sarah Carlisle made the play happen, driving a cross into the UNI six-yard box from the right side, hitting Shepler-Tucker in stride. Freshman Tori Minnich was also credited with an assist on the play by sending a long pass up the right sideline to Carlisle. 

"We did a lot of work this week on forwards making their runs and crossing and finishing and the timing of stuff," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "Sarah played a good, early ball in behind their back line and Kalli was there. That was a highlight reel-type goal there - it was really well done. 

"I was a little disappointed that we didn't follow that up with a little bit more intensity than we did."

However, UNI pulled even in the 11th minute on a header by Annie Dale. After an IUPUI foul gave the Panthers a restart from roughly 35 yards out, Maggie Riley bent a drive over the IUPUI defensive wall towards the back post, where Dale redirected a header past Giselle Guzman. 

The game opened up at the start of the second half with freshman goalkeeper Nicole Kulovitz making a highlight reel stop of a Dale header in the 52nd minute. Dale got free in the middle of the Jaguars' defense and drilled a shot on frame, but Kulovitz punched the ball just high of the crossbar. 

Moment later, it was sophomore Grace Perkowitz who gave the hosts their second lead of the day with a strike from 10 yards out. Shepler-Tucker continued her big day, hitting a shot into a group of defenders, only to have it pop free to her right. Perkowitz was at the right place at the right time and drove a shot through traffic, past UNI backup goalie Erin Zaideman. 

The Jaguars avoided a potential disaster with just less than 10 minutes left in the match when Kulovitz played a ball just feet off the endline in front of her own goal. A UNI attacker crashed into the Jaguars' keeper, pushing her into the net and immediately sparking confusion on the field. The head referee consulted with his assistant, who had raised his flag for a foul against the Panthers. After a brief discussion, the officials ruled in favor of the Jaguars, keeping IUPUI in front 2-1. 

IUPUI was able to play enough possession over the final 10 minutes to keep the Panthers from getting any decent looks on frame. For the match, IUPUI outshot UNI (1-11) 17-9 overall and 5-4 on goal. Minnich and Perkowitz led IUPUI with three shots each and four others had two attempts. Dale and Brady Clark led UNI with two shots each. 

Guzman made one save in the first half before Kulovitz collected the win in relief and made two saves. Zaideman took the loss for the Panthers and made one second half save. 

IUPUI's seven-game homestand will continue next weekend when the Jaguars open Summit League play with a pair of matches. On Friday (Oct. 4), IUPUI will host North Dakota State at 7:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium before later welcoming South Dakota State to Carroll on Sunday (Oct. 6) at 1:00 p.m.. Both matches will be free and open to the public, while standard university parking rates apply. 

Friday's match will be streamed as part of the IUPUI LIVE! subscription service as Morgan Adcock (pxp) will be on the call. Sunday's match is part of 'White Out Weekend' as IUPUI is urging fans in attendance to wear white to that match.