MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team put up its most emphatic performance in league play this season with a 4-0 road trouncing of Robert Morris on Thursday (Oct. 22). Head coach
Angela Berry White's team got goals from four different sources while sophomore
Shannon Phillips had a pair of assists from her defensive spot.
The defense earned just its second shutout of the season and first since late-August in the win. It was a third straight triumph for the Jaguars and fourth victory in the past five games as IU Indy continued to ascend the Horizon League standings.
"I'm really proud of our team for coming away with a big road win," senior
Elle Blessinger said. "Getting a win, a clean sheet and a goal makes it even more rewarding. At this point in the season, every game matters and being able to get a result like this on the road is huge for us.
"I'm proud of the way we fought as a team and I'm excited to keep building on this momentum."
The Jaguars (7-8-2, 5-4 HL) dominated play from the opening kickoff, controlling the attack throughout the opening half. Senior
Caroline Kelley snuck a rolling shot just inside the post for the eventual winner in the 20th minute. Phillips setup the play with a cross from the left side for her first of two assists before
Maci Sammons wrestled the ball in the direction of Kelley. Kelley was able to settle and sneak home her 18th career tally and third in the past two contests.
Senior
Lilly Ma doubled the lead in the 35th minute when she smashed home a score off a nifty turn and cross from
Hannah Roberson. Phillips played Roberson into danger before the sixth year standout delivered a beautiful pass to Ma. The Jaguars' first half damage could've been worse as Sammons had a corner kick ring off the crossbar and
Megan Swift bodied a shot off the right post almost immediately after coming on the field in the 30th minute.
RMU (5-8-3, 2-5-2 HL) put some pressure on the Jaguars to start the second half, but the Jaguars weathered the storm and eventually turned the tables and doubled the lead.
The advantage grew to 3-0 in the 72nd minute when
Bethany Hartigan freed up Muldrow with a long lead pass up the middle of the field. The speedy Muldrow was able to compose and chip a shot over the charging RMU keeper for her team-high eighth score of the season.
Blessinger capped the scoring by blasting a rebound into the empty net after Swift had earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. The tandem of
Ella Green and
Lauren Henry each earned assists on the play as Blessinger netted her first collegiate goal in her 39th career appearance. White was able to clear the bench for the final 10-plus minutes, as 21 different players saw action.
Sophomores
Isabel Oferosky and
Gwen Eiler shared a shutout in goal with the former registering four saves in nearly 80 minutes of work. Offensively, IU Indy finished with a 15-8 shot advantage and 8-4 gap in shots on goal.
Phillips attempted three shots while Kelley and
Madeline Chappa tried two each.
"It's hard to win on the road in our league. To win on the road with a shutout late in the season is tremendous. I'm so proud of these ladies. We're battling with some injuries but they prepared, they were ready and they went out and executed," White said. "Every player contributed to our success today! Our program hasn't won three-in-a-row since 2022. These kids are developing, they're learning and they're understanding the process. I know I sound like a broken record, but it's a process and it's a system that grows a team. We'll enjoy this one and then get ready for another tough road game on Sunday."
The Jaguars will conclude the trip at Youngstown State on Sunday (Oct. 25) on ESPN+.
