INDIANAPOLIS - It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was enough as the IU Indianapolis women's soccer team edged past Cleveland State by a 2-1 score to open Horizon League play on Sunday (Sept. 22) at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Junior Emma Frey and sophomore Caroline Kelley scored for the victors and senior goalkeeper Ashton Kudlo made six saves as the Jaguars did enough to earn all three points. 

"I just like how everybody who went on the field today gave it their all," junior defender Sarah Henson said. "Even the subs who went in gave 110 percent effort, so I think that was the reason we got the win today."

Tanji Sarver scored for Cleveland State early in the second half to knot the score after the Jaguars had taken a 1-0 lead into halftime. 

The Jaguars (2-6-1, 1-0 HL) opened the scoring in the 23rd minute on a free kick from long range. A moment of indecision from CSU goalkeeper Madison Ott allowed Emma Frey's long ball to sneak inside the far post as Caroline Kelley was making a run on goal. Kelley wasn't able to get a touch, but the ball bounded just inside the post for Frey's second score of the year. 

The score held through an evenly played first half, much of which occurred during a persistent downpour. 

The Vikings (0-8-1, 0-2 HL) grabbed momentum at the start of the second half when Sarver scored from the doorstep after Kudlo had stopped Erica Leinweber's initial attempt from distance. The rebound sat on the endline before Sarver rifled the rebound home for her first score of the season. 

With momentum in tow, CSU was clearly more aggressive in seeking the game's next goal, however the Jaguars' defense subscribed to the bend but not break theory for the remainder of the second half. CSU outshot the Jaguars 19-6 for the game and 13-2 in the second half, but it was the opportunistic hosts that found the winner. 

A flurry of three straight corner kicks led to Maia Ransom drawing a foul inside the penalty area and a penalty kick opportunity in the 83rd minute. Kelley outfoxed the CSU keeper for her fourth score of the season. Moments earlier, Kelley had pinged the outside of the left post with a go-ahead attempt in the 73rd minute off a nifty lead pass from Hannah Roberson. 

Given the lead, the Jaguars defense was tasked with burning clock and Kudlo contributed a diving stop to the effort to stop a Maria Bashardoust attempt in the 86th minute. 

"I think (the win) was very important," head coach Chris Johnson said. "It's one of those moments that can change your season a little bit. The kids realize that they can come back from adversity and find the back of the net and make things happen for ourselves."

The Jaguars will now embark on a tough, two-game road trip, beginning at Youngstown State on Thursday night (Sept. 26), followed by a Sunday (Sept. 29) match at Robert Morris. Both contests will be broadcast on ESPN+.