EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The IU Indianapolis women's soccer team will close out a stretch of three straight road games to open the 2026 season on Sunday (Aug. 23) when the Jaguars face SIUE (2-0-1) at 1:00 p.m. CT (2 Eastern). SIUE (2-0-1) is unbeaten to start the year while the Jags (0-2) are still seeking a result after back-to-back road losses. 

The Jags opened the season with a 2-0 defeat at Ball State and then dropped a 5-1 decision at Louisville. However, the final 45 minutes of the Louisville match marked the team's best half of the season as they outscored the Cardinals 1-0 after trailing 5-0 at the break. Junior Keilah Muldrow collected the team's first tally of the season off assists from Annaliese Black and Bethany Hartigan and sophomore Isabel Oferosky delivered eight saves in a clean 45 minutes. 

Sunday's match caps a home-and-home series as SIUE won in Indy last season, 2-1, on Aug. 14. Avery Bangert tallied the IU Indy goal off an assist from Olivia Hopper in the 71st minute. 

QUOTABLE
"I think this is a great confidence booster. It shows we can bring that intensity, we can bring that level of support from the sidelines, from our coaches. Everybody believes in each other. It builds everybody up. This is definitely a great booster for our team," Oferosky said after delivering a scoreless second half at Louisville on Aug. 16. 

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 

KNOW YOUR FOE
SIUE is 2-0-1 and outscored opponents 7-3 on the year. The Cougars defeated Alabama A&M and Austin Peay and played Valparaiso to a 2-2 draw. Claire Nieroda leads the team with two goals and three assists while Carson Bohnenstiehl is next in line with two goals and an assist. In goal, Sarah Bozeman has a 1.00 goals against average and .824 save percentage in having played all 270 minutes in goal. 

SERIES HISTORY
IU Indy is 2-3 all-time against SIUE and 1-1 in two meetings in Edwardsville. SIUE has won the last two meetings between the two programs, including a 2-1 outcome last season in Indy. 

UP NEXT
The Jaguars will return home to host Chicago State on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+.