INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the Spring 2021 season on Tuesday (Mar. 30) as the Jaguars dropped a 1-0 decision to Northern Kentucky at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. NKU's Chloe Mills netted the day's only score off a well placed Lindsey Meyer corner kick in the 60th minute for the winner. 

"I thought it was a well played game between two teams who don't give up goals easily," head coach Chris Johnson said. "We had a good amount of the run of play, but couldn't find that final combination to put a quality shot on goal very consistently. I think we are 95 percent of the way to where we want to be and will work our butts off to get that last five percent before we play on Monday."

IUPUI (5-1-1) outshot NKU 14-11 and put six attempts on frame, but was blanked for the second straight time and third time this season. IUPUI was repeatedly on the attack in the opening 45 minutes while playing with a strong tailwind at its back. However, like last week's showing at Youngstown State, the Jaguars were unable to push anything over the line against NKU goalkeeper Mimi Stines. 

The Jags best scoring chance came in the 27th minute when senior Valentine Pursey had an attempt ring off the underside of the crossbar and back into play. Autumn Weeks was able to get on the rebound, but had her attempt sail high. 

IUPUI earned five first half corner kicks and two even more dangerous threats as Maya Lacognato drew a foul along the edge of the 18-yard box, leading to a free kick. In the 37th minute, another NKU infraction led to a Renae Blevins free kick from 20 yards out that flew just over the bar. 

IUPUI outshot NKU 10-3 in the opening half and relied on Carlie Werner to make a highly impressive save to keep things level. Kailey Ivins sprung Meyer loose on a breakaway up the right side, but Werner's quick reflexes kept a point blank attempt out of the net. 

The Jaguars opened the second half with a flurry of activity again, beginning with an Elizabeth Bueckers angled attempt that Stines redirected and Miranda Ricks' rebound shot went over the bar. 

NKU began to stem the tide as the match wore on and finally solved the IUPUI defense in the 60th minute on its first corner kick of the day. Meyer lofted a ball over the Jaguars' six-yard box and Mills went in amongst the bodies to push a shot over the endline for her first score of the year. 

IUPUI's best scoring attempt down the stretch came when Ricks beat two defenders and earned a free kick at the edge of the 18-yard box, but the ensuing restart didn't amount to a scoring opportunity. 

Bueckers led the IUPUI attack with three shot attempts, putting two on target, while Pursey and Ricks fired two each. Werner collected four saves in her second pinch hitting duty in goal. 

Stines had six stops for the Norse while Meyer led all players with four shot attempts. 

IUPUI will cap the regular season at Purdue Fort Wayne on Apr. 5 at 4:00 p.m. in a match that will be aired on ESPN+. The league's top four teams will compete in the Horizon League Tournament with the semifinals round being played on campus sites on Apr. 11.