INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team fell just short of an upset in its Horizon League opener on Sunday (Sept. 21) before falling to Northern Kentucky, 1-0. The Norse came in with just one blemish on their record all season long and having outscored foes by a 24-6 margin. However, the Jaguars took them to the brink before dropping a one-goal decision.

"Hats off to Northern Kentucky. They capitalized on a mistake we made," head coach Angela Berry White said. "We had a good gameplan in place and if you went through a checklist, our team did really well in that aspect of having defensive things in check. 

"We created opportunities and just weren't able to put them away."

The Norse netted the game's lone goal in the 35th minute when Megan Molner slotted home her seventh tally of the year, finishing off a setup from Meghan Belrose. A defensive miscue allowed Belrose to send Molner forward and the NKU attacker caught IU Indy Sarah Bambrick well off her line for an easy finish from long range. From there, the Jaguars dictated much of the play, outshooting NKU 9-7 after halftime, but were unable to find the equalizer.

Bambrick kept the Jaguars within striking distance, collecting five saves on the day, including a pair of highlight stops early in the second half to deny Belrose and Lilly Yordy.

Offensively, IU Indy generated quality chances throughout the match, but couldn't solve NKU netminder Megan Gessner. Junior Caroline Kelley paced the attack with four shots, including two headers on frame, while Hannah Roberson and Keilah Muldrow also applied pressure in the attacking third. The Jags earned three of their four corner kicks in the second stanza as they pushed numbers forward in search of the tying goal.

The match grew physical in the later stages as Muldrow was booked with a yellow card in the 75th minute. Despite the intensity, the Jaguars stayed composed and continued to create looks, including late efforts from freshmen Maci Sammons and JoJo Murphy, both of whom fired just off target in the closing minutes.

Both sides registered 14 shots, but Gessner posted three saves for the clean sheet.

IU Indy will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 25, when the Jaguars host Wright State at 7:00 p.m. inside Michael A. Carroll Stadium. That contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ as Rick Johnston calls the action.