INDIANAPOLIS - Senior Samantha Bathurst picked a fantastic time for her first career goal as the veteran pushed a shot past the Evansville defense in the 102nd minute of a 1-0 double overtime victory. Senior Tori Minnich and sophomore Maryna Clark assisted the game-winner, that came when Bathurst cut in front of a UE defender near the six-yard box and redirected a shot into the open net. 

After IUPUI (5-3-1) spent the bulk of the first overtime period knocking on the door, Head Coach Chris Johnson inserted Bathurst onto the pitch to start the second overtime for a tiring Maddie Riedford. The move worked as Bathurst struck paydirt less than two minutes later. 

"I had a few chances throughout the game and it was really frustrating and they just said get back in there and get in the box," Bathurst said. "I just knew (Clark) was going to get it in there and I heard Hayley yelling get front post and I just got there."

In the moment, the diminutive Bathurst didn't know she had played the role of hero.

"I was on the ground and I looked up and then everyone else was running at me and I realized the game was over."

"I didn't actually see the ball go in the net, so I can't lie about that," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "She had a couple chances early in the game that she didn't get put away and she stuck with it. She just kept making the run to the far post. She's a great, hard-working young lady and I'm really happy for her to get her first goal.

"She always makes her runs. She's always there and she's in the right place. God bless her for being there every time."

The goal made a winner of freshman goalkeeper Sophia Lipka, who collected a shutout in her first collegiate start. The rookie overcame some tense moments, some by her own doing, to collect seven saves and her second career victory. 

The most worrisome moment came late in regulation when she was forced to play the ball with her feet and had a pass intercepted by Maggie Leazer. However, Leazer sent her shot high of target, keeping the game in a scoreless tie. 

IUPUI nearly got the win in the closing moments of regulation as well. Minnich did well to get on the end of a Clark corner kick to the back post and had her shot snuffed away by UE goalie Whitney Biggs. Junior Hayley Shelton then had her rebound attempt cleared off the line by a sliding defender and out of play. 

After being outshot 9-2 in a middling first half, IUPUI outshot the Purple Aces 15-6 in the second half and 3-0 in the two overtime periods. 

Senior Catherine Raster was problematic for the guests, firing a game-high seven shots, putting two on frame. IUPUI also earned a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

Bathurst's overtime game-winner was the first by an IUPUI player since Megan Hock tallied in extra time against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 28, 2011. Lipka extended her own personal scoreless streak to north of 200 minutes in her first four appearances. 

"She does a good job of organizing people in front of her," Johnson said of Lipka. "She brings a confidence to herself that exudes into other people on the field. I'm really happy for her in going out there and getting a shutout. She kept things very clean."

The win assured the Jaguars of a .500 or better mark in non-conference play with remaining matchups with Xavier (Sept. 18) and Illinois State (Sept. 25). IUPUI will host the Musketeers at 1:00 p.m. at Carroll Stadium on Sunday and IUPUI students are admitted for FREE with a valid JagTag. Adult tickets are just $5 at the gate.