MOSCOW, Idaho - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team took a major step forward in game one of a two-game western road trip on Thursday night (Aug. 29), falling at Idaho, 2-1. The Jaguars conceded a pair of first half goals, but were more aggressive and more spry in the attack after intermission, albeit in defeat. Senior Cassie Rodriguez scored her third career goal on a free kick in the opening stages of the second half and Charlotte-transfer Emily Keck was brilliant in goal, making six saves in her 45 minutes of action. 

The Jaguars (0-3-1) continued to put the heat on Idaho (3-2) in the closing minutes of the game, forcing goalkeeper Paula Flores into six saves, all in the second half. 

"It feels great to get some momentum. I think we can build on the energy from tonight," Keck said. "I was so proud of the team and we put up a good effort for a comeback. No one gave up and we fought to the final whistle. We're hoping to capitalize on that in the upcoming games."

Junior Emma Frey had multiple attempts from distance that tested the Idaho netminder while Maia Ransom and Caroline Kelley formed a strong attacking tandem on other occasions. 

Idaho opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Hannah Alfaro scored on a header, setup by Kate Sprink and Karli Yoshida-Williams. In the 24th minute, Margo Schoesler blasted a drive past Ashton Kudlo to make it a 2-0 score in short order. 

Offensively, the Jaguars mustered little in the opening half as they were outshot 8-0 and earned just one corner kick, which was quickly recycled by the Idaho defense. Head coach Chris Johnson's club ramped up the pressure from the outset of the second half and earned a scoring opportunity when Caroline Kelley drew a foul in the attacking third, setting up Rodriguez's free kick. On the ensuing restart, Rodriguez's ball bounced to the left of Flores and into the lower-right corner of the net, befuddling the Idaho back line. 

Ransom moved into an attacking role for much of the second half and was able to create havoc with her speed and work rate. She finished with three shots while Kelley also had three and Frey attempted two, both from distance. 

Defensively, the group was lifted by the return of Kailyn Smith and Keck's strong second half. Keck recorded a cast of saves, including a pair of stops against Idaho's Maddie Lasher to keep the Jags in the game. Shannon Ott also had a key defensive play down the stretch, making a tackle to stop a breakaway in the 86th minute, keeping hope alive. 

Idaho closed with a 22-12 margin in shot attempts and 9-7 edge in shots on goal. Frey and sophomore Katie Hoog played all 90 minutes and senior Makenna Collins played 87 on the back line. 

The Jags will close out the trip at Montana on Sunday (Sept. 1) at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.