INDIANAPOLIS - For the first time this season, the IUPUI women's soccer team came up on the wrong end of a decision, dropping a 2-1 contest to Marshall at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Friday night (Aug. 28). Marshall's Sydney Arnold scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 79th minute to fuel the Herd to the road win. Sophomore Krissy Kirkhoff netted her third goal of the year for the Jaguars, thanks to assists from Tori Minnich and Denise Veldman. 

"That's a good team," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "I didn't think we necessarily played our best tonight, but they were the better team tonight. We didn't make it easy on ourselves by giving them the first goal, but I was happy in how we responded right away. 

"With our front line of Tori and Krissy and some other girls we have up there, I think we can score goals on any given night. We've shown that so far we can be dangerous in the attack."

IUPUI (1-1-1) all but gift wrapped Arnold's first goal as an errant pass back to sophomore goalie Catherine Schmidt resulted in an easy breakaway for the speedy Marshall attacker. Schmidt tried to close down Arnold well beyond the 18-yard box, but the Marshall forward side stepped the IUPUI keeper before angling in from the left side for her first goal of the year in the game's 24th minute. 

The Jaguars, like they did last weekend, had a near immediate offensive answer to tie the score less than three minutes later. 

This time, Veldman set the table for Minnich, who then maneuvered between the Herd's center backs. Rather than attempt a tough angled shot, Minnich slid a pass to her right to the sprinting Kirkhoff, who had an easy finish for her third score of the year and 12th of her career. Minnich, who had just two assists all of last season, earned her second helper in as many matches, while Veldman collected her first career point.  

Despite Marshall getting the better run of play, the score remained tied 1-1 at the break. 

The second half saw Marshall (2-1) continue to push the pace, including a bomb of a restart from Kelly Culicerto in the 70th minute that rang off the crossbar before bounding out of play. 

IUPUI's best second half scoring chance came in the 72nd minute when freshman Becca Spitalniak had a header cleared off the line by a Marshall defender, keeping the score tied. Kirkhoff lofted a brilliant corner kick above the six-yard box to the 5-foot-11 Spitalniak, who placed a gorgeous header inside the left post. However, a Marshall back was equal to the test, keeping the attempt on the field, leading to a second Jaguar corner. 

"I was hoping we could sneak a goal past them in the second half and kind of steal a win," Johnson said. "We didn't necessarily have the better run of action, but I still thought we could get a result from them."

Marshall finally took the lead for good in the 79th minute as Arnold was in the right place at the right time. The play began with a Jenna Dubs corner kick, that became a mad scramble for players on both sides. Schmidt, shielded by Marshall's attackers, was unable to corral the loose ball, which ended up at the feet of Katie Suchodolski. Suchodolski back heeled a pass to Arnold, who was able to drive a shot into the open net from close range for the game-winner. 

IUPUI was unable to muster much of an attack over the final 10 minutes, finishing the match being outshot 20-9 and on the short end of the corner kicks, 11-6. 

"We gave them too many opportunities and too many corner kicks. You can't give a team like that extra chances to score," Johnson said.

Kirkhoff had a team-high three attempts while Spitalniak had two attempts off the bench. Culicerto and Erin Simmons had six tries each for the Herd. 

IUPUI will cap the four-game season-opening homestand on Tuesday night when the Jaguars host crosstown rival Butler in a soccer doubleheader. The women's match will kick at 5:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium with admission being free of charge. Those unable to attend can watch online at IUPUIJags.com as veteran broadcaster Greg Rakestraw calls the action. Additionally, Tuesday's doubleheader will serve as the official kickoff to Youth Soccer Month in the state of Indiana, as soccer players of all ages and skill levels are urged to wear their kits to the match.