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Chris Johnson Postgame

INDIANAPOLIS - Despite a healthy shot advantage, the IUPUI women's soccer team was unable to scratch in a season opening loss to Eastern Illinois on Friday night (Aug. 18), falling 2-0 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Eastern Illinois forward Sarah DeWolf tallied the game-winner in the 26th minute and Kate Olson added insurance with her first goal of the season in the 73rd minute.

"It's definitely not what we were looking for out there," IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "We kind of came out a little lackluster in our effort and our intensity and that didn't pick up until late in the second half. I think we saw an intensity level in the second half that we can be successful with, but it wasn't from the very beginning of the game. 

"I think we wanted to kind of ease ourselves into the game, partly a product of having a lot of freshmen out there on the field and having a lot of new kids starting for us. As we go through the season, we'll understand after experiences like this that we don't want to feel like this after the game, that we'll pick it up the next time around."

IUPUI (0-1) outshot Eastern Illinois 15-11 overall and had a 6-2 edge on corner kicks, but were unable to solve EIU keeper Sara Teteak. Senior Krissy Kirkhoff led the IUPUI attack with four shot attempts, putting two on target, while freshman Valentine Pursey had three attempts. 

DeWolf took advantage of a nifty through ball from Pilar Barrio to register the game's first score. Barrio threaded a pass between a pair of backs to DeWolf, who was able to dribble a shot past sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Lipka for the initial score of the match. 

IUPUI had limited opportunities in the first half, but came out chasing the equalizer in the second half. The Jaguars just missed getting even in the 66th minute after Kirkhoff's corner kick stayed inside the six-yard box seemingly forever, but ultimately resulted in Jessica Flores pushing a header well over the bar. In the 68th minute, Kirkhoff hit a drive from distance that Teteak did well to push left of target, resulting in another IUPUI corner kick. 

On the ensuing corner kick, senior Sarah Jacobs redirected a header wide of frame. 

Olson gave EIU (1-0) some much needed cushion with just under 20 minutes to play, cleaning up a loose ball that began with a Carrie Caplin restart just inside midfield. 

IUPUI's final scoring chance of the night came in the 85th minute when Jacobs drove a well placed restart in the direction of the far post. However, none of the IUPUI forwards were able to get on the finishing end and the ball ended just right of the post. 

As is typically the case for early season contests, Johnson shuffled 19 bodies into the match, getting a look at seven of his true freshmen. Three rookies - Pursey, Ricks and Natalie McNally - were in the starting 11 for their collegiate debuts. 

Johnson specifically praised the play of sophomore Emma Chambers, senior Beth Parks and freshman Morgan Rymer for their work on Friday. In addition, freshman Jessi Cowen showed well as she's made an early season transition to a defensive position. 

The Jaguars will cap the weekend with a Sunday trip (Aug. 20) up I-65 to face Valparaiso at 1:00 p.m.. Live stats will be available on IUPUIJags.com right at kickoff and a full recap will be posted immediately afterwards.