INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI women's soccer team scored a season-high four goals, including a pair from junior
Sam Slimak, as the Jaguars raced past Cleveland State in both teams' Horizon League opener, 4-2 on Thursday night (Sept. 15). Slimak tallied her first two goals of the year, including the winner, and senior
Maya Lacognato and freshman
Emma Frey also scored in the victory.
"It felt really good," Slimak said of her first career multi-goal game. "It was honestly like exciting for our whole team to start the second half so strong and I was more excited that our team could start with a lot of fire and get a goal quickly. It was a full team effort, so I love that part of it.
"I think we were struggling to settle into the game, but once we did, I thought the attack was good and I just love how there are numerous people who can get up there and attack."
IUPUI's shutout streak was halted at five straight games with a Cleveland State strike in the game's 20th minute, only to see the Jaguars fire back with three unanswered tallies. Frey added some late insurance after the Vikings made it a one-goal deficit in the 82nd minute.
IUPUI went down a goal in the 20th minute when Mayra Sesmas laced a shot past
Ashton Kudlo, stopping the Jaguars' keeper's personal scoreless streak at 404 minutes. The Vikings maintained the lead until the one-person wrecking crew of
Emma Antoine changed the game off the IUPUI bench. Antoine drew a penalty kick, setting up Lacognato's fifth score of the year in the 35th minute.
Business stayed even at 1-1 until the 47th minute when Slimak put the Jaguars ahead for good. Sophomore
Makenna Collins played Slimak forward on the left side and the Michigan-native angled a brilliant shot over CSU keeper Liv Fain for her first score of the year. Slimak waited just 11 minutes to find her second score of the year, this time pinging a shot off the inside of the post off a cross from
Leah Shumate for a 3-1 lead in the 58th minute.
IUPUI went into cruise control for a bit and CSU took advantage when Erica Leinweber got free and powered a shot past Kudlo with eight minutes left in regulation. The Vikings continued to push for an equalizer before Frey ended any comeback hopes with an unassisted strike from distance in the 86th minute. Frey took advantage of an errant CSU pass and blazed a shot past Fain for her third score of the year.
IUPUI finished with a 13-11 shot advantage and a 60-40 advantage in possession. Slimak finished with four shots and Lacognato attempted three. Kudlo registered a pair of saves against four CSU shots on frame.
The Jaguars will return to action on Sunday when they travel up I-69 to face Purdue Fort Wayne at 1:00 p.m.. That contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
