HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The No. 5 IU Indianapolis women's soccer team went on the road and tripped up No. 4 Northern Kentucky in the quarterfinals round of the Horizon League Tournament on Saturday (Nov. 7), claiming a 2-1 road win. Seniors
Caroline Kelley and
Megan Swift tallied goals and sophomore goalkeeper
Isabel Oferosky was strong between the pipes as the Jaguars move on to next Wednesday's semifinals round. IU Indy (9-9-2) will take on No. 2 Green Bay on the road in the second round of the league tournament.
The win was IU Indy's first-ever road win at NKU in five meetings.
"NKU led our conference in goals and was in the top-20 in scoring in the nation. As short-handed as we are, to hold them to one goal at home in their most important game this season says a lot about the heart, desire and toughness of our squad," head coach
Angela Berry White said. "I could not be prouder. Everyone stepped up. It was a total team win for our program. We talk about process all the time and this is the process moving forward."
Kelley staked the Jaguars to a 1-0 lead late in the first half, taking advantage of a rare scoring opportunity. The third team all-league honoree found herself free working near the top of the 18, tapped the ball to her left as a defender fell down and then angled a left-footed shot inside the far post for her sixth score of the year.
The Jaguars doubled the lead in the opening minute of the second half on a brilliant strike from Swift for her second goal of the season. Kelley played a ball out wide to
Maci Sammons, who crossed to Swift at the back post. Swift hit a brilliant volley past the NKU keeper for her second score of the year.
Northern Kentucky (10-6-3) got on the board in the 66th minute when the league's Offensive Player of the Year, Megan Molner, scored from the right side for her league-best 16th score of the year. While Molner's score made the final 20-plus minutes more harrowing, the Jaguars were up to the task.
Veteran
Hannah Roberson provided a late goal line clearance to prevent a potential game-tying goal and Oferosky made a late stop against Molner in the 89th minute to preserve the win.
"We knew what was at stake today and came ready to fight for what we deserved," Swift said. "It's been a long road and we deserved that win. I thank God for this team everyday. There's no one I'd rather score for than them, but the job isn't finished."
NKU outshot the Jaguars 13-8 behind Molner's five attempts while Swift paced the Jaguars with three attempts.
IU Indy will take on No. 2 Green Bay on Wednesday (Nov. 11) at 4:00 p.m. CT (5 Eastern) in the Horizon League Tournament Semifinals. Wednesday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
