INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women's soccer team scored a season-high four goals, coming from four different goal scorers, as the Jaguars claimed a 4-1 win over South Dakota on a blustery Friday night (Oct. 31) at Carroll Stadium. Senior Taylor Heidorn had a goal and an assist in the win and freshman Krissy Kirkhoff scored her third game-winner of the season early in the second half. 

The win was IUPUI's fourth in five games and extended the Jaguars' unbeaten streak to five at Carroll Stadium. 

"Right now, we have as balanced as an attack as we've ever had here," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "We have five or six kids who can consistently put balls in the back of the net and another one in Hayley Shelton who just hasn't broken through yet. 

"I'm proud of our girls for going out and taking care of what they needed to do, through some tough conditions."

On a night when the weather was poor at the outset and expected to deteriorate throughout, IUPUI (6-9-3, 4-3 Summit) got the all important first goal in the 23rd minute from sophomore Catherine Raster. Junior Kalli Shepler-Tucker initiated the play with a big ball to Tori Minnich, who touched a pass to Raster. Raster capped the easy finish at the back post for her second score of the year. 

"It was a great goal to get us going," Johnson said. "We had a couple of chances early where we played balls through and had girls sliding at them, but we just didn't finish. It was good to get that first goal and get the lead."

After taking a 1-0 lead to the half, the Jaguars played add-on early and after after halftime. 

Kirkhoff netted her seventh goal of the year in the 50th minute on a great individual effort, eventually leading to a strike from beyond the penalty area. In the 69th minute, Alyssa Fox made it 3-0 off assists from seniors Anna Rode and Heidorn. Fox drilled a shot off the underside of the crossbar and the rebound went straight down and over the endline for her second score of the year.

Heidorn capped the IUPUI scoring in the 76th minute with a bullet of a drive from distance. USD (9-7-2, 2-3-2) retaliated with a goal in the 77th minute from Colleen Reeves. 

"We were on them, but I give (USD) credit, they kept fighting, even when they were down," Johnson said. "They just kept coming at us."

Johnson attributes a number of factors to his program's recent success. 

"A big part of it is moving Kalli into the middle of the field," Johnson said. "Grace (Perkowitz) has been huge for us in the middle (of the field) as well. She's just a calming influence and does so many good things to get us going the right direction.

"Plus, we're getting kids back and healthy. Cat Raster, Alyssa and Hayley all missed time and they're starting caliber players. Getting them back and involved has been a huge plus for us."

On Friday, IUPUI was outshot 19-17, but put two more shots on target (9-7) than the visiting Coyotes. Kirkhoff, Raster and Fox had three shots each. The Jaguars' four goals were the program's most since a 4-1 win at DePauw on Sept. 20, 2012. Freshman goalie Catherine Schmidt collected her fourth straight victory with six saves. 

USD goalie Mackenzie Viktor closed with five saves and allowed all four goals in the defeat. Reeves led the Yotes with five shot attempts off the bench. 

IUPUI will cap the regular season on Sunday (Nov. 2) when the Jaguars host Omaha on Senior Day at Carroll Stadium. The IUPUI soccer program will recognize the senior trio of Heidorn, Rode and Brenna Parks immediately after the match. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m.