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INDIANAPOLIS - Freshman Maya Lacognato tallied her team-high sixth goal of the season and accounted for the day's only offense as the IUPUI women's soccer team outlasted visiting Cleveland State in overtime, 1-0, at Carroll Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 19). Lacognato took a feed from junior Valentine Pursey and nudged a shot just over the endline in the game's 95th minute for the winner, sparking a raucous celebration by the Jaguars. 

Pursey slipped a feed to Lacognato, who did the rest, driving a shot off the outstretched hand of CSU keeper Stevie Holbrook, who was challenging off her back line. Holbrook deflected the shot, but the momentum carried the ball over the endline before a CSU (4-7-3, 2-3-1 HL) could clear the ball away. Pursey collected her team-high sixth assist of the season and helped senior goalkeeper Sophia Lipka earn her 20th career shutout in the process. 

"It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it," head coach Chris Johnson said. "In the end, we did enough to get the win."

"It was a special day for our seniors and we really wanted to get the win for them," Lacognato said. "They've done so much for us, so we needed to win for them. We needed to play like seniors. 

"Though I haven't known these seniors for long, they are family. They've done so much for this program and I didn't want them to lose on their Senior Day. I told myself I needed to step up and score a goal. I did it for them; that was their Senior Day present."

Cleveland State dominated the first half, outshooting the Jags before the break by a 9-2 margin, including a number of close calls. Essence Canady and Grace Grant both presented problems for the Jaguars' defense, although Lipka was equal to the task with three first half saves. The Jags opened the second half on the attack as Pursey began to help the Jaguars build possession. Senior Emma Chambers also provided a spark in the attacking end, providing service deep in Cleveland State territory on a number of occasions. At one point, she drove a left-footed cross into danger and Autumn Weeks redirected a header towards the far post, only to have the attempt clank off the woodwork and back on the field of play. 

In the 81st minute, sophomore Renae Blevins just missed a winner when she blazed a free kick just wide of target from roughly 20 yards out. 

Pursey closed with a game-high four shot attempts and Lacognato and Blevins had two apiece. Lipka recorded five saves as the Jaguars' defense limited Cleveland State to just three shot attempts after halftime. 

IUPUI improved to 2-0-1 on the season in overtime matches with Lacognato tallying both the game-winners. Lipka lowered her personal goals against average to 1.00 on the season as the Jags' defense collected an eighth shutout on the season. With the win, IUPUI remains tied for third in the Horizon League standings at 4-2 on the season. The Jaguars will take on league leader Milwaukee (13-1, 6-0 HL) on Wednesday night (Oct. 23) at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. That match will be broadcast on ESPN+.