Eastern Illinois (Sept. 5 I 7:00 pm): ESPN+ I Live Stats
Butler (Sept. 8 I 7:00 pm): ESPN+ I Live Stats

INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team returns from a tough road trip through Big Sky country to host Eastern Illinois and Butler at Michael A. Carroll Stadium this week. The Jags (0-4-1) will host EIU on Thursday night (Sept. 5) before welcoming Butler on Sunday evening. Both matches will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN+. 

The Jags took on the top two teams in the Big Sky on the road last week, falling at both Idaho and Montana in close contests. Senior Cassie Rodriguez tallied in the Jags' 2-1 loss at Idaho while graduate transfer Emily Keck played a scoreless final 45 minutes in goal. On Sunday, senior goalkeeper Ashton Kudlo made a career-high 10 saves as the Jaguars were blanked at Montana, 1-0. 

For the season, the Jaguars have been outscored 9-3 overall and outshot by nearly 10 attempts per game, albeit against superior foes. Junior midfielder Emma Frey leads the team with three points from the middle of the park while Rodriguez and sophomore Caroline Kelley have a goal each. Frey also leads the team in minutes played (439), followed closely by senior defender Makenna Collins (434) and sophomore back Katie Hoog (422). 

In goal, Kudlo has started all five matches and owns a 2.25 goals against average and .667 save percentage. Behind her, Keck has played 90 minutes of scoreless action, registering eight saves in her two relief appearances. 

QUOTABLE: "We knew going into the game that Montana would be a tough opponent. Just like Idaho, they ended up in the top of their conference last season. I think defensively we did a good job handling their pressure, but need to continue to grow offensively. I think this was a good trip to take to play some quality teams and to learn as much as we can from the games," Kudlo said following her 10-save performance at Montana. 

SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS: EIU is 2-2-2 on the season with victories over Valparaiso and Illinois-Springfield. Alex Tetteh leads EIU with three goals, having registered a hat trick in the 3-1 win over UIS. Kate Germano has added a goal and an assist. In goal, Ashlyn Hoover has played all 540 minutes in goal with a 1.33 GAA and .724 save percentage with two shutouts. 

SCOUTING BUTLER: Butler enters this week 3-1-1 overall with emphatic wins over Purdue, Drake and Ball State. The Bulldogs have outscored foes by a 12-5 margin and are led offensively by Talia Sommer (3 goals, 1 assist), Abigail Isger (2 goals, 1 assist) and Lelia Lister (2 goals, 1 assist). In goal, Anna Pierce has played all 450 minutes with a 1.00 GAA and .773 save percentage with a pair of shutouts. 

SERIES RESULTS: IU Indy is 2-5-3 all-time against EIU and 0-3-2 in the five meetings in Indianapolis. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the most recent meeting back in 2018. The Jaguars are 3-15-1 all-time against Butler and 2-4-1 in seven home matchups. The Jaguars have dropped eight straight in the series, including a 3-0 road loss last season. 

UP NEXT: The Jaguars will close out non-league play at Ball State on Thursday, Sept. 12 in Muncie at 4:00 p.m. That contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.