A Draw in Youngstown Leaves IUPUI Women's Soccer Undefeated

YOUNGSTOWN, OH-- IUPUI’s women’s soccer team continued their undefeated season as their game against Youngstown State finished in a 0-0 draw in extra time on Wednesday, March 24. This marks the team’s second tie of the season as their record extends to 4-0-2. This is also the Jaguars second away game that resulted in a tie this season as they managed to control both ends of the pitch throughout all 110 minutes of the match but were unable to capitalize to take the victory in extra time.

“Throughout the whole game we had control of the possession, control of the game, control of the momentum,” senior Valentine Pursey said. “We were getting a lot of shots, we had five shots on frame, so I think it really was just luck that wasn't in our favor. We had three shots hit woodwork, one hit the post, one hit the other post, and one hit the crossbar, just very unfortunate to not get that ball across the goal line, it was one of those games.” 

On one end of the pitch, the offense, led by Pursey, put up 23 shots, with nine shots on goal. Youngstown’s keeper, Zeeyana Jivraj, came to play, saving eight shots fending off the Jaguars’ onslaught of shots from every end of the pitch for most of the game.

In the 31st minute of the game, freshman defender Jessica Jacobs had a free kick shot on goal that seemed to be headed for the back of the net but was stopped in the bottom left corner. This stop seemed to suck the momentum out of the Jaguars offense for the rest of the first half as they only put up one shot for the next 15 minutes, their second least number of shots in a 15 minute span in the entire game.

Even though the team finished the game in a draw, IUPUI dominated both ends of the field, keeping Youngstown on their heels the entire game. Even though Youngstown had 4 total shots, their first did not come till the 87th minute of the match. IUPUI’s head coach Chris Johnson believed the team executed well, but wasn’t able to capitalize on their looks.

“We hit the post a couple times and were just a little unlucky at getting the ball in the back of the net,” Johnson said. “Sometimes in soccer, you know that’s just how it goes, it’s not a real high scoring sport, you got to make the most of your chances.” 

With two games left before the Horizon League Conference Tournament, Pursey spoke about the team’s mindset going into the rest of the season and her message couldn’t have been clearer.

Win.

“Win at all costs has kind of been our mindset going this whole season,” Pursey said. “You know it’s a weird season, half the games, only the top four make the tournament and our goal is to make the tournament, win the championship and continue to the NCAA tournament.” 

IUPUI is currently ranked third in the Horizon League Conference, just behind Milwaukee, who has a 5-1 record. Though Milwaukee and IUPUI have the same win percentage on the season , Milwaukee has one more point than the Jaguars, sitting them in the second place spot with 15 total points on the season.

Even though Covid-19 did not allow for a 2020 season to be played, the delayed season seemed to bring this team together. 

“We waited almost a year to play in a game, I think this team has just gone on a roller coaster together and it shows how it either makes or breaks a team...no matter what’s thrown at us, this team just leans on each other and gets through stuff together,” Pursey said. 

The Jaguars next game is at home in Michael A. Carroll Stadium against red hot Northern Kentucky on Tuesday. Northern Kentucky currently sits on top of the Horizon League Conference standings as they look to continue their four game win streak after beating Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday 1-0.