INDIANAPOLIS - IUPUI scored twice in a minute and added some late insurance as the Jaguars raced past Murray State, 3-0 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20). Sophomore Krissy Kirkhoff scored a goal and assisted on the other two while senior Grace Perkowitz netted the game-winner in the 58th minute. Sophomore goalie Catherine Schmidt authored her second shutout of the season, making three saves in net.

After attempting just three first half shots, the Jaguars were more effective and efficient in the attack from the opening whistle of the second half. Catherine Raster had a quality chance after a long carry in the 57th minute, which proved to be a precursor to an offensive explosion.

"We knew we needed to come out the first five minutes and we did that in the second half. I think Murray State let up a little bit and we took it to them," Kirkhoff said. "We wanted to come out strong and we wanted to score goals and that's what we did."

In the 58th minute, Kirkhoff had a long run along the left side result in a well placed cross towards the middle. Perkowitz, who was trailing the play, got on the end of the ball and ripped a shot through traffic for her first goal of the season and her fourth career game-winner.

Exactly a minute later, Kirkhoff hit a well placed shot past MSU goalie Shelby Haworth, capitalizing on a short pass from Raster.

Given a two-goal lead, the IUPUI defense hunkered in and keep the Murray State attack out of harm's way. The Racers had two near misses in the second half, the first coming when Destiny White made a tough turn and had her shot tick off the top of the crossbar in the 73rd minute. Later, Caroline Ashton hit the left post with a header after Harriet Withers had driven a cross to the far side of the field.

IUPUI capped the game's scoring in the 86th minute when Tori Minnich scored from in close, thanks to Kirkhoff's second assist of the day. Kirkhoff centered a pass straight to Minnich, who initially struggled to get a boot on the ball, but regained control and slotted a shot past Haworth.

Despite being outshot 14-12, IUPUI allowed just three shots on frame and enjoyed a 7-4 advantage on corner kicks. Kirkhoff finished with five shot attempts while Raster added three. Withers led Murray State with four shots, putting two on target.

"We established our presence in the game from the very beginning and it was fantastic to see. The offense wasn't click as well as we'd like in the first half, but we really didn't give up anything dangerous because of how well we were challenging for and winning balls in the midfield," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "We kind of settled in a little bit better in the second half in terms of what we were trying to do.

"We did a better job of connecting those passes, rather than just hitting balls to the other side of the field."

IUPUI will cap the non-conference slate next weekend when the Jaguars head to Terre Haute to play Indiana State on Friday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m..