MILWAUKEE, Wisc. - The IUPUI women's soccer team had its upset bid fall short at top-seeded Milwaukee (11-3-3) on Thursday (Nov. 3) in the semifinals round of the Horizon League Tournament. IUPUI took an early 1-0 lead but yielded a trio of unanswered goals after halftime in a 3-1 defeat.
The Jags (9-4-6), who earned a semis spot by upsetting No. 3 Oakland on the road over the weekend, were unable to keep the good times rolling against the league favorite.
Head coach
Chris Johnson's squad took an early lead on an own goal in the 12th minute when a Milwaukee defender redirected an
Abbie Schad delivery into the open net. Junior forward
Sam Slimak was the intended target, but the ball clearly glanced off the Panthers defender and out of reach of Milwaukee goalkeeper Kendall Edwards.
The Jaguars did a good job of limiting Milwaukee's dangerous opportunities and carried the 1-0 lead into the break. However, the host Panthers took control early in the second half with goals in the 54th and 59th minutes.
In the 54th minute, Haley Johnson got free at the back post off assists from Brooke Parnello and Kayla Rollins and slotted a shot past
Ashton Kudlo. Less than five minutes later, Senya Meurer delivered the game-winner with a free kick from 20 yards out. Johnson capped a multi-goal game in the 86th minute when she headed home an Elizabeth Reece corner kick.
"I thought we battled hard and left everything out there," Slimak said. "We're devastated with the loss but couldn't be more proud of this team and how hard everyone has worked all season. I'm beyond thankful for each senior this year and how they led our team so well.
"I loved the chemistry we built this season and excited for what's to come with this team."
Milwaukee closed with a 19-7 shot margin and 11-1 advantage in corner kicks. Kudlo was brilliant between the pipes for IUPUI, registering eight saves in the loss. Edwards recorded one stop for the Panthers.
Maya Lacognato and
Jessica Jacobs had a team-high two shots each for the Jaguars.
IUPUI closes the season at 9-4-6 overall and a school record 11 shutouts.
