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SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The IUPUI women's soccer team will have upset on its mind on Saturday night (Nov. 11) when the Jaguars open NCAA Tournament play at Notre Dame (9-6-4) at 6:00 p.m. inside Alumni Stadium. The Jaguars capped Horizon League Tournament play with a monumental upset of top-seeded Milwaukee to earn the program's second-ever NCAA Tournament berth. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Lipka earned tourney MVP honors behind a 110 minute shutout effort in the championship match, capped by her leading the Jags to a 4-3 victory in penalty kicks. After having never played in PKs in the program's history, IUPUI (14-5-3) had to do so twice in three matches in the Horizon League Tournament. In the quarterfinals, IUPUI played Cleveland State to a 1-1 draw before outlasting the Vikings 4-2 in penalty kicks. In the semifinals, the Jags trailed Northern Kentucky 2-1 late in the second half before scoring twice in the final 10 minutes, including the game-winner with just more than a minute to play. Freshman striker Valentine Pursey netted her second hat trick of the season in that match and leads IUPUI with 13 goals. 

Both of IUPUI's NCAA Tournament appearances have resulted in trips to Notre Dame. In 2009, the Jaguars suffered a 5-0 defeat to the Irish. Head coach Chris Johnson has been at the helm of the program for both NCAA trips. 

"I'd like to think we can give ourselves a chance," Johnson said. "The last time we faced (Notre Dame), they were the No. 2 national seed. Anytime you go on the road to face an established program like Notre Dame, it's going to be tough. Our young ladies have shown a lot of resiliency. More than anything, I want our young ladies to enjoy the opportunity and play they know they're capable."

Lipka has been IUPUI's difference maker this season, notching a 0.69 goals against average and school record 10 shutouts in her 18 starts. Offensively, Pursey and senior Krissy Kirkhoff have shouldered the bulk of the load. Pursey's 13 goals are one shy of tying the Jaguars' single-season record while Kirkhoff has a school record 11 assists and six goals this season. In the midfield, feisty senior Hayley Shelton has four goals and eight assists in her final collegiate campaign. 

The Jaguars back line of Natalie McNally, Jenna Sterr and Leia Peterman has also been a strength this season with McNally having earned a spot on the Horizon League's All-Freshman Team. 

QUOTABLE: "This team has more heart than any team I have ever been on. Every single person in this program was a part of this win and played their role perfectly. It feels amazing to play behind girls with a 'cannot' and 'will not' die attitude. We've proven that talent and athleticism only gets you so far. It's the teams with heart and determination that win championship games and we showed that tonight," Lipka said after the Jaguars won the Horizon League Tournament. 

JACOBS AND SHELTON HONORED: Seniors Sarah Jacobs and Hayley Shelton have collected a slew of academic awards this season, being named First Team Academic All-District 5 and Academic All-Horizon League. 

ALL-TOURNEY TEAM HONORS: While Lipka was named the Horizon League Tournament MVP, she was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Kirkhoff, McNally and Pursey. 

SIX JAGS COLLECT ALL-LEAGUE ACCOLADES: Lipka and Kirkhoff led IUPUI's postseason honorees, collecting First Team All-Horizon League ballots while Shelton was voted Second Team. The rookie trio of McNally, Pursey and Ricks were voted to the All-Freshman Team. 

HAT TRICKS: Pursey posted the eighth hat trick in school history in the 4-3 win over Wright State and is the seventh player in school history to score three goals in a game. That list includes Sarah Leonard, Karrie Reising (twice), Cat Raster, Tori Minnich, Kirkhoff and Tara Latella. It was the first hat trick by an IUPUI player in league play since Sarah Leonard scored three goals against Youngstown State in October 2001.  

KIRKHOFF TAKES OVER: Kirkhoff became the program's all-time points leader with her two-goal performance against Fort Wayne. The Indianapolis-native enters the NCAA Tournament with 80 career points (29 goals, 22 assists), surpassing the previous mark of 74 held by Megan Hock (2008-11). Kirkhoff also holds the program's all-time record for assists (22) while Shelton is currently second all-time with 19. 

TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD: IUPUI captured the program's eighth straight United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) Team Academic Award on Oct. 5. It's the 12th time in program history the Jags have been recognized and the program's 3.72 grade point average ranked third among the nation's Division I programs. 

SCOUTING NOTRE DAME: The Irish are 9-6-4 on the season and 4-4-1 on their home turf. Notre Dame was bounced from the ACC Tournament in a 4-1 loss to NC State after defeating the Wolfpack 4-0 during the regular season. Natalie Jacobs (10 goals, 6 assists) and Jennifer Westendorf (9 goals, 7 assists) lead the UND offense, which outscored foes 37-24 this season. Sandra Yu contributed seven goals and five assists as well. In goal, a pair of Notre Dame keepers combined on a 1.19 goals against average and six shutouts. Brooke Littman has played the majority of the team's minutes and has a 0.94 GAA and 5-3-2 record in her 10 appearances. 

INSIDE THE SERIES: IUPUI is 0-1 all-time against Notre Dame with the lone matchup having been the previously mentioned meeting in the 2009 NCAA Tournament in South Bend.

UP NEXT: The winner will face the winner of Texas A&M/Lamar on Nov. 17 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.