Indiana women’s soccer wins first game 3-0 against Indiana State on Senior Night

Indiana ladies’s soccer returned to Invoice Armstrong Stadium for the primary time in 315 days and welcomed again the house crowd with a 3-0 win Thursday evening in opposition to Indiana State College. The Hoosiers scored their first objectives of 2022 whereas honoring their three seniors with pregame festivities.

“I’m so happy with the crew,” head coach Erwin van Bennekom mentioned after the match.

Van Bennekom mentioned the crew was beginning to really feel the stress after failing to attain within the first three matches, however he credit his crew’s persistence.

It took Indiana over 55 minutes to attain on this sport, that means over 750 minutes handed between Indiana final purpose courting again to the earlier season. It appeared after the primary half Indiana was destined for an additional scoreless draw after solely recording one shot on purpose within the first 45 minutes.

[ Indiana women’s soccer freshmen provide flare, but fail to finish in another scoreless draw]

“Clearly at halftime it being 0-0 was not an excellent feeling,” van Bennekom mentioned.

Going into the second half van Bennekom acknowledged that, tactically, he didn’t wish to change something from the primary 45 minutes, however “possibly transfer the ball somewhat bit quicker.” He mentioned the one actual change he made was shifting his wingers wider and better as much as pitch to create extra of an offensive assault.

The second half noticed a flurry of Hoosier objectives, however the very best probability of the match for the Sycamores got here within the 53rd minute with the sport nonetheless twisted up at zero.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg got here off her line in an try and punch out a cross, leaving Sycamore sophomore ahead Mackenzie Kent with an open web, however her shot couldn’t beat the scampering Hoosier goalkeeper, who made her first and solely save of the match.

With simply over 55 minutes on the clock, Indiana obtained its long-awaited breakthrough. Senior ahead Paige Webber obtained her head on a cross from fellow senior midfielder Alaina Kalin’s header to interrupt the impasse. Webber led the crew with 5 objectives in 2021 and will get credit score for Indiana’s first purpose in 2022.

Lower than 5 minutes later, Indiana doubled its lead courtesy of junior ahead Jen Blitchok, who blasted a shot off her proper foot to get on the scoresheet for the primary time this season. Kalin additionally assisted on that purpose, giving her two on the evening.

The third and closing purpose got here from junior ahead Anna Bennett within the 76th minute following an excellent sequence to place the icing on the cake.

“As soon as the primary one went in, the openings would come,” van Bennekom mentioned.

Indiana ended up with 24 photographs in comparison with Indiana State’s three, with a 3rd of these approaching purpose. It was by far Indiana’s greatest offensive efficiency within the 4 matches this season.

All three seniors who had been honored earlier than the sport obtained taking part in time. Defender Megan Wampler began the sport as normal, however defender Karlee Luker and graduate goalkeeper Bethany Kopel each had been subbed on as soon as Indiana took the lead.

“Our purpose was to win immediately but additionally to make it somewhat little bit of a celebration for our three seniors who’ve been great for our program,” head coach Erwin van Bennekom mentioned after the match. “It was every thing we wished.”

Indiana has but to concede this season, however that streak will likely be examined within the subsequent match, because the College of Notre Dame crew involves Bloomington on Sunday. The Preventing Irish are an ideal 5-0 and are ranked No. 16 within the newest United Soccer Coaches Ballot.