INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women's soccer team got an early strike from sophomore Krissy Kirkhoff and never looked back as the Jaguars roared past Marian at St. Vincent Field on Friday night (Sept. 18). Kirkhoff finished with a goal and two assists and freshman Becca Spitalniak added the game-winner in the 35th minute. Juniors Tori Minnich and Catherine Raster netted insurance goals in the victory as the IUPUI attack outshot Marian 31-8 overall and 13-2 on frame.

"We've been working on switching the field all week and it definitely came together tonight," Kirkhoff said. "Our mids and defense did a great job winning balls out of the back. Maddie Riedford had a great game and having Maryna and Cat (Raster) back in action really set a new tone for our offense."

With new pieces helping set the tone, it was Kirkhoff's reliability that eased the team's nerves in the opening minutes as she staked the Jaguars to a quick one-goal lead. Sophomore Hayley Shelton centered a pass to Kirkhoff, who did the rest by slotting a shot into the lower corner from nearly 18 yards out for her team-high fourth goal of the year.

"I think that's what set the tone for us," Head Coach Chris Johnson said of Kirkhoff's goal. "It took a little bit of the edge off the game and allowed us to play the way we wanted to play. I was glad to see us come out there and really get the nerves out of the way and get a ball put away early."

Later, Kirkhoff and Jessica Flores set the table for an easy Spitalniak finish in the 35th minute. Flores rolled a pass to Kirkhoff in the middle of the field, prompting Marian goalie Melissa Sturgill to try and close on the play. Rather than attempt a challenged shot, Kirkhoff slid a pass to her left to Spitalniak, who had an empty net ahead of her for her first career goal. The score remained 2-0 at the break before Minnich added insurance in the 58th minute.

Kirkhoff put an initial bomb on frame, but Sturgill was unable to put it away, leading to Minnich's rebound goal from point blank range.

Marian (5-3) made things interesting with a gorgeous restart score in the 69th minute. After a foul was called near the top of the 18, the Knights drew up a dandy to skirt the Jaguars' five-person defensive wall. Amanda Annee tapped the ball to the right to a streaking Kellie Cavanaugh, who blasted a shot over Catherine Schmidt for the Knights' lone goal.

However, Catherine Raster bid good night to the Knights in the final minute, scoring on a 15-yard header with just 58 seconds left. Junior Alyssa Fox drove a brilliant cross to the far post, allowing Raster to drive a header past Sturgill for her first score of the season.

"I just saw a really good cross and just headed it. It was a little scary because I got a concussion earlier (in the season), but it was a great ball. Props to (Alyssa) for hitting it," Raster said.

Kirkhoff finished with a game-high nine shots while Raster added four attempts in her first start of the season. Schmidt earned the win, making one save.

IUPUI's 31 shots were three shy of tying the school record while Kirkhoff's nine attempts tied her season-high and were one short of matching her career-best.

IUPUI will return home on Sunday (Sept. 20) to host Murray State at 1:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium. Admission is free of charge although standard university parking rates may apply.