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INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women's soccer team saw its season come to a close on Monday night (Nov. 4) as the Jaguars were upset in the opening round of the 2019 Horizon League Tournament by No. Oakland, 2-0, at the on-campus Carroll Stadium. Oakland's Sami Lopez deposited the game-winner in the 50th minute and assisted Nikki May on an insurance score in the 71st minute while the Jaguars were defeated on their home turf for just the third time this season. 

Oakland advances to face top-seeded Milwaukee on Thursday night (Nov. 7) while head coach Chris Johnson's team closes with a 12-7-1 record. 

"I think we came out with some nerves, particularly in the first half, that kind of played a role in how we played," Johnson said. "But I thought we had a good game plan and did a pretty good job in stretches of executing our game plan. We were able to connect passes and move the ball down the field. We just weren't dangerous enough in the final third and had a hard time finding the finishing touch when we did have opportunities."

A steady drizzle made a fast pitch even quicker and the Oakland (7-7-3) midfield seemed to take advantage, covering ground at both ends of the field to make things tough on the Jaguars. Oakland outshot the Jaguars 14-9 and 8-4 on frame, but came up with the most timely strikes in the second half. 

Oakland went ahead early in the second half when Ashley Postma rolled a short cross through the Jaguars' six-yard box, only to see Alexa Sabbagh's initial attempt knocked down by Natalie McNally. However, the rebound popped free to Jones, who volleyed a shot past IUPUI senior goalkeeper Sophia Lipka for her fourth goal of the season. 

IUPUI had chances to get equal, which included a gorgeous strike from Morgan Rymer that was earmarked for inside the far post, but OU keeper Jaimie Leas dove to her left to deny the attempt. 

Oakland fired a dagger in the 71st minute when May rifled a bomb past Lipka, capping a quick counter that began with Lopez making a long run up the sideline in front of her own bench. She then rolled a pass to May, who delivered a blow to the Jaguars' chances with her first score of the season. 

IUPUI continued on the attack, including a hard, low liner from Valentine Pursey in the 83rd minute that Leas smothered. 

Pursey, who entered play leading the league in shot attempts, was held to just two tries in the defeat. 

Lipka made six stops in her collegiate finale while Leas registered four stops in the shutout win. 

The steady rain at game's end helped mask the tears of the Jaguars walking off the field for a final time in 2019 as Monday marked the final games for a senior class that included Lipka, Emma Chambers, Bri Denny and Jenna Sterr. 

"I thought the leadership this year was among the best we've had in the program in a long time, going back to this past summer when they helped get us organized and prepared for this coming season," Johnson said. "I think the future of the program is very bright in that we have about 14 to 16 kids in the program who will be challenging for time next year."