EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The IUPUI women's soccer team used a second half offensive flurry to run past reigning OVC champion SIUE on Sunday (Aug. 21), 3-2 at the Cougars' Korte Stadium. IUPUI tallied three goals in just more than a seven-minute span, including a pair of strikes from senior Maya Lacognato, to move to 2-0 on the young season. The Jaguars trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before scoring two unanswered to ultimately secure the win. 

"We made it way harder on ourselves at times. We need to clean some things up going forward, but I'm so happy with the way the girls battled back today," head coach Chris Johnson said. 

Redshirt sophomore Ashton Kudlo recorded seven saves, all in the second half, to advance her record to 2-0 on the year. However, it was the offense that stole the show in the second half while Kudlo made a number of impressive saves at the opposite end of the pitch. 

SIUE (1-1) built a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute when Savannah DeFini scored from point blank range after a diagonal pass from Sidney Christopher snuck just pass Kudlo, challenging hard off her back line. The Cougars' score came on the heels of IUPUI's ninth corner kick of the first half as a quick counter led to a transition score and the game's first tally. 

After the two sides combined on just nine combined shots, and just three on target, in the opening half, the second half was much more open and free wheeling. 

Lacognato tied the score when she got in behind the SIUE defense off assists from Emma Frey and Sam Slimak. Lacognato did the rest, powering a shot into the middle of the net for her first score of the year. The score stayed level for exactly 89 seconds as SIUE went back in front when Lily Schnieders scored on a penalty kick to Kudlo's left. 

This time, SIUE stayed in front for exactly 47 seconds as Frey hit a rocket for her first collegiate score off service from Sarah Henson. Frey's shot from distance eluded SIUE keeper Taylor Spiller and knotted the score in the 56th minute. 

Lacognato capped the scoring when she got free inside the SIUE penalty area off a long feed from Slimak, and ultimately ripped a shot into the mouth of the net. IUPUI (2-0) used crisp ball movement and a stingy defense to help kill the game from there, while Kudlo responded with a career-high seven saves in goal. 

"I'm really proud of our team. Coming back from 1-0 and scoring three goals is incredible," Lacognato said. "We fought so hard and everyone contributed. All the credit goes to the team and Sam with two great crosses. I feel like I've been in a slump since last season, so being able to score has given me a lot of confidence. 

"This team is special and I'm excited to see what the rest of the season has i

Slimak and Lacognato led the IUPUI attack with three shots each and Emma Antoine, who tallied the winner at Tennessee Tech, had two tries off the bench. The scores were the tenth and 11th of Lacognato's career and it marked her fifth career game-winner. 

IUPUI will return home to host Bellarmine University on Thursday night (Aug. 24) at 7:00 p.m. at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. That contest will be aired on ESPN+ as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) describes the action. Admission to Thursday's contest is FREE of charge and the match will cap a men's and women's doubleheader as the men's squad will host Marian University, beginning at 4:00 p.m..