Photo Gallery I Maya Lacognato Postgame I Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf)

INDIANAPOLIS - It took an extra 10 minutes, but freshman Maya Lacognato put home a left-footed winner in the final minute of the first overtime as IUPUI outlasted Toledo in both team's season opener on Thursday night (Aug. 22), 1-0. Lacognato raced in from the right flank and angled a shot past Toledo (0-1) keeper Adrianna Brewer for the game's only score, sparking a raucous celebration along the near touch line. 

Fellow freshman Maya Turner, who had just tested Brewer moments prior, assisted Lacognato, who did the rest to cap a wild night at Carroll Stadium. 

"It felt pretty awesome," Lacognato said. "I've been dreaming about this since I was a little girl. I always wanted to play Division I college soccer and then being able to step on the big stage over time and coach and all the players having faith in me, I had to do what was right and score a goal."

Senior goalkeeper Sophia Lipka recorded five stops in registering her 18th career shutout, climbing three away from tying the program's all-time record. After a rocky opening 45 minutes, the defense held firm as junior Natalie McNally and senior Jenna Sterr helped stabilize a patchwork defensive group. 

Offensively, Valentine Pursey was a menace from the midfield, nearly breaking open the scoring with a header from in close in the first half. The IUPUI offense had better run of play to start the second half, as sophomore Elizabeth Bueckers and Pursey were more engaged in the attack. Pursey just missed a goal in the 58th minute and Turner also had an attempt on frame just seconds later.

Junior Miranda Ricks pinged a bar in the second half for her best attempt of the game as IUPUI finished with a 19-18 shot advantage and 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Only five of the 18 Toledo attempts were on frame as Jaguar defenders did well to block and deflect numerous opportunities. 

Pursey, playing an attacking midfield spot, had a game-high five shots, while Bueckers had three tries. 

"It was exciting, that's for sure," head coach Chris Johnson said of his 196th collegiate win. "I think we did a lot of good things out there, but there's still a lot more to do. We kind of got pushed around in the first half and we challenged them at halftime to come out and be more aggressive, so it was nice to see our young ladies respond in a positive manner."

The win was IUPUI's first ever over Toledo in three meetings, avenging last season's 2-0 road loss. 

IUPUI will cap the opening weekend at Butler on Sunday night (Aug. 25) at 7:00 p.m. at BU's Sellick Bowl.