INDIANAPOLIS - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team closed the regular season with a fourth win in five games and punched a ticket to the Horizon League Tournament with a 1-0 victory over Northern Illinois at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Friday (Oct. 30). Junior
Bethany Hartigan ripped a free kick from 30 yards out for the game's only score in the 63rd minute and sophomore
Isabel Oferosky delivered a shutout in net.
"It feels great, but you know, job isn't done. That's what we said. We treated this game like a playoff game. We knew that if we had it in our own hands, we controlled our destiny, all those cliches that you want to put into it, but we played an outstanding game," head coach
Angela Berry White said. "I mean, we had what, 25 shots. We converted it finally on a set piece. Just to have those opportunities and to keep creating, that was very important. Not to get away from our game plan and to try really just put the pressure on them. I can't say enough about this team."
Needing a win to ensure a spot in the upcoming six-team Horizon League Tournament, the Jaguars were on the accelerator for much of the day, including earning a penalty kick in the game's third minute when
Lindsey Castillo was pulled down inside the 18-yard box going to goal. Unfortunately, senior
Caroline Kelley was unable to convert as NIU goalkeeper Alexandra Devory made a diving stop to her left to keep the Jags off the scoreboard. IU Indy kept the heat on, largely behind the holding play of Kelley and speedy
Keilah Muldrow continually getting into space against the NIU backs.
The Jags outshot NIU 12-7 in the opening half and earned seven first half corner kicks to no avail.
While each minute made things more tense, the Jaguars continued to build chances and stave off NIU opportunities.
Hartigan finally lit the lamp with a 30-yard bullet that tucked in just inside the upper 90 after
JoJo Murphy had drawn a foul, setting up the restart.
"I think we really deserve to get the win today and make the tournament. It was one of our best games we played recently," Hartigan said. "I think we just stuck to the game plan and everyone was really behind each other. I think it's really deserved. I'm just happy for everyone."
It marked her second goal of her career, both coming this season. Defensively, Hartigan helped anchor a back line that was brilliant all day long in front of Oferosky.
White had to patchwork the defensive quilt all day long as the Jaguars were without starters
Katie Hoog and
Annaliese Black due to injury. Muldrow and Kelley had four shots apiece as IU Indy finished with 25 shots and nine on target. NIU closed with 15 shots and put eight on frame as Oferosky finished with eight stops.
The Jaguars will learn their postseason fate on Saturday with the conclusion of the regular season matches.
