LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team will close out week one of the 2026 season on Sunday night (Aug. 16) when the Jaguars take on Louisville (0-1) at 7:00 p.m. at UofL's Lynn Stadium. Sunday's game will be aired on ACCNX. Both teams dropped their season openers as the Jaguars fell on the road at Ball State and Louisville dropped a 3-1 home decision to Nebraska. 

The Jaguars were tough defensively in the season-opening 2-0 loss at Ball State, yielding a score in each half on corner kicks. The goalkeeping duo of Sofia Rodriguez and Isabel Oferosky combined to make five stops while junior forward Keilah Muldrow attempted a team-high two shots. Junior defender Bethany Hartigan played all 90 minutes in the defensive third as head coach Angela Berry White rotated 20 different bodies on the field in the opener. Senior back Lilly Ma played 74 minutes and Muldrow and Annaliese Black each played 64 minutes. 

IU Indy is 2-2 all-time against UofL as the two programs haven't met since 2002. 

QUOTABLE
"You know, we were able to withstand pressure during the run of play," White said of her team's defensive play after the Ball State match. "We weren't broken down throughout the game, we just fell asleep on a couple of corners that led to goals. Those are fixable mistakes. We'll learn from them and hopefully get something going in our next game going forward."

PRESEASON POLLS
The Jaguars were picked to finish eighth in the Horizon League polls, released by the league office on Monday, Aug. 10. 
 
RETURNING STARTERS
Lindsey Castillo - lone returner to have started all 18 matches last season; totaled two goals and an assist; ranked fourth on the team in minutes played (1,379)
Caroline Kelley - started 17 matches last season; led the team with 53 shot attempts and 24 shots on goal; tied for the team high with four assists
Lilly Ma - started 17 times in the defensive third; had a goal and two assists from her defensive spot
Shannon Phillips - started 16 times as a true freshman, splitting time in the midfield and defensive third; had one goal in her rookie season
Bethany Hartigan - made 14 starts a season ago; one of nine players on the team to amass at least 1,000 minutes
Katie Hoog - made 11 starts and 16 appearances last season; one of nine players on the team to amass at least 1,000 minutes
Hannah Roberson - versatile veteran made 10 starts in 18 appearances last season; totaled a goal and an assist 

KEY NEWCOMERS
The Jaguars welcome nine newcomers (five transfers and four freshmen) to the roster this season with all expected to contribute this season. The goalkeeping duo of Isabel Oferosky (North Dakota-transfer) and Sofia Rodriguez (Morehead State-transfer) will both challenge for the starting job while Annaliese Black (Mercyhurst-transfer) and Megan Swift (Chicago State-transfer) will contribute to the Jaguar attack. Rookie midfielder Addison Stover headlines the freshman class while local standout Taylor Townley is likely to find a role in the defensive third. 

KNOW YOUR FOE
Louisville went 13-5-3 overall a season ago and were undefeated at home at 10-0-2. The Cards were defeated 3-1 in the opener by Nebraska as senior Liza Suydam scored a goal and junior forward Liz Eddy had an assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Brielle Baker yielded all three goals and made two stops in the loss. 

SERIES HISTORY
IU Indy is 2-2 all-time against UofL, winning the first two meetings with victories in 1999 and 2000, both on the road. Louisville defeated the Jaguars in 2001 and 2002 with the most recent meeting being a 2-0 UofL win in 2002. 

UP NEXT
The Jaguars will close out a stretch of three straight road games to start the season with an Aug. 23 trip to SIUE.