Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf) I Highlights I Kirkhoff Postgame I Pursey Postgame I Johnson Postgame

INDIANAPOLIS - Freshman Valentine Pursey scored twice in a 39 second stretch of the second half and senior Hayley Shelton added an insurance tally as the Jaguars downed Illinois State, 3-0 at Carroll Stadium on Sunday (Sept. 10). Senior Krissy Kirkhoff turned in a pair of assists and sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Lipka registered her fourth consecutive shutout as IUPUI's winning streak hit four. 

"I thought we had a lot of kids step up today that hadn't started in games before," Head Coach Chris Johnson said. "I thought in the first half, we did a good job of winning some balls in the middle of the field. We just couldn't quite connect the passes to get shots on goal.

"The patience with what we did in the first half and just kind of connecting a little better in the second half was the difference in the game."

After the offense sputtered in the first half, the second half was a different story as the Jags created an abundance of opportunities. In the 48th minute, Kirkhoff drove a corner kick into the middle of the Illinois State (2-4-1) penalty area where freshman Natalie McNally was on the receiving end. McNally redirected a shot towards the middle of the goal, but it hit off a teammate short of goal. 

A corner kick from the other side resulted in the game's first goal in the 54th minute as Kirkhoff hit Pursey for her third score of the season. Less than a minute later, Pursey made it 2-0, tapping in a shot from close range for her team-high fourth score. Freshman Miranda Ricks played Pursey into space, as she navigated through traffic left before sliding a shot past ISU netminder Haley Smith.

"We kind of just got our flow after the first half," Pursey said. "Passes were connecting and we got more confidence and once we scored the first one, we just knew that we were going to get another one and another one."

The dam completely broke for the guests in the 59th minute when Shelton delivered her first score of the season. McNally sent a ball out wide to Kirkhoff, who sent a pass to Shelton, making a run up the middle of the field. Shelton was able to settle the ball and roll a shot inside the right post to cap the day's scoring. 

Playing with a 3-0 lead, the Jaguars continued to build chances but were unable to capitalize. Hannah March had a shot slip just wide of target in the 76th minute and Kirkhoff put a tester on frame in the 80th minute. 

After being outshot 8-2 in the first half, IUPUI finished the match having been outshot just 14-13. IUPUI closed with a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks and Pursey and Kirkhoff had a team-high three attempts on the day. 

Defensively, IUPUI had to alter its formation and lineup with veterans Sarah Jacobs and Becca Spitalniak on the mend. McNally and sophomore Jenna Sterr continued their strong play in the defensive third, while sophomore Bri Denny and senior Leia Peterman helped shore up the group heading into Horizon League play. 

"Jenna Sterr at the outside back and Natalie McNally at the center back spot have been fantastic in every game," Johnson said. "Natalie is a freshman and Jenna is a sophomore, but they're playing like they're seniors almost every single game out there."  

Lipka needed three saves for her fifth shutout of the season and extended her scoreless streak to 360 straight, dating back to the end of the loss to Eastern Kentucky. Her 360 straight scoreless minutes is the fourth longest shutout streak in school history and 101 minutes shy of Jamie Farrell's school record.  

IUPUI will open Horizon League action next Friday night (Sept. 15) when the Jaguars host Cleveland State at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at 7:00 p.m.. FREE t-shirts will be distributed as part of the Jaguars' league opening match and IUPUI students will be admitted for FREE with a valid JagTag. Those unable to attend can watch on the Watch ESPN app or ESPN3. Adult tickets are just $5 and youth (ages 3-12) are admitted for just $2.