INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team outshot and outpossessed a solid SIUE squad in the season opener on Thursday night (Aug. 14), but unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 outcome in both teams' season-opener at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Junior Avery Bangert delivered an equalizer in the game's 71st minute but the visiting Cougars responded with the winner 36 seconds later in the road win. 

"We talked a lot about getting our wing backs involved in the game early and trying to make sure we overloaded zones and we were able to do that," head coach Angela Berry White said. "And then we were looking for a little bit of a burst off the bench and we had that. We had some players that went down, so having to fill those spots and we saw some bright, bright spots from our freshmen that went in, which was nice."

The match marked the IU Indy debut for head coach Angela Berry White and the on-field debut for three transfers and four rookies. Ultimately, it was the reserve play of Bangert and Indiana State-transfer Olivia Hopper that led to the IU Indy (0-1) goal, midway through the second half. 

SIUE (1-0) went ahead in the 31st minute when Alayna Hauser slotted a shot past Sarah Bambrick for the season's first goal. Claire Nieroda got free on the right side and centered a pass to Hauser, who was able to redirect a right-footed shot inside the post for a 1-0 advantage. The Jaguars just missed drawing even in the 44th minute when Olivia Hopper had a strong attempt from the right side parried away by SIUE keeper Sarah Bozeman. 

The Jags continued their pursuit of an ice breaker, finally coming through in the 71st minute. Hopper maneuvered past a defender inside the 18-yard box before touching to Bangert, who drilled a shot inside the far post for her third collegiate score.

However, the joy lasted less than a minute as SIUE's Savannah DeFini fired back with the winner after the IU Indy defense was able to clear a long Bozeman drop kick, leaving DeFini free against Bambrick. The SIUE attacker chested the ball down and poked a right-footed attempt past a charging Bambrick for the winner. 

The Jaguars finished with an 18-11 shot advantage and 9-1 edge in corner kicks, but put just six of their 18 attempts on target. Frey and Guenther finished with a team-high four shot attempts to pace the attack. IU Indy held possession for 62 percent of the match with 10 different Jaguars attempting at least one shot. 

"We competed, but we just had a couple mistakes and we all learn from mistakes and we know that," White said. "As they assured me, things will get better and I told them the same thing, so we'll just learn from this."

IU Indy will return to action next Thursday (Aug. 21) when they travel to Eastern Illinois for a 4:00 p.m. Eastern kickoff.