ROCHESTER, Mich. - The IUPUI women's soccer team put up a valiant effort but fell just short against a hot Oakland team on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 2), falling to the Golden Grizzles on a late score, 2-1. Oakland's Sophie Wilsey redirected a Sami Lopez corner kick just past
AP Woodall for the game-winner in the 85th minute, continuing the Jaguars sour stretch.
Junior
Autumn Weeks had pulled IUPUI even just before halftime after the Jaguars conceded an early goal.
Lopez gave Oakland (5-7-1, 4-0-1 HL) the early lead when she rocketed a shot past Woodall from 20 yards out into the upper left-hand corner of the net. And while a makeshift IUPUI attacking unit struggled to get offensive pressure, the Jags pulled even on a restart just before halftime.
IUPUI (2-9-1, 1-4 HL) earned just its second corner kick of the game and cashed in when
Leah Shumate arced a ball to Weeks, who drove a header into the open net for her first score of the year. Her shot hit off the head of an Oakland defender and under the bar and was originally ruled an own goal before being credited to IUPUI's center back.
Things stayed even and largely between the 18's until play opened up as the game drew longer. Woodall made a solid save of a Jessica Shears attempt in the 70th minute and then stopped a Kendra Zak attempt in the 76th minute. Oakland continued to press the action before finally breaking through in the 85th minute on a corner of their own. This time, Lopez sent a ball to the middle of the box where Wilsey snapped a header just out of Woodall's reach for her first score of the year.
Oakland finished with a 15-2 shot advantage and 6-1 edge in shots on goal. IUPUI's attack was greatly hindered by the absence of senior
Elizabeth Bueckers and freshman
Abbey Renner. The Jaguars did get nearly 40 minutes from Michigan-native
Sam Slimak, who returned on Saturday after a lengthy injury absence.
Woodall made four saves in the defeat.
IUPUI will return home to host Horizon League preseason favorite Milwaukee at Carroll Stadium at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7.