Bujouves' two goals help women's soccer to two more wins

During the practice week, sophomore midfielder Jessie Bujouves played her way into a starting spot for the IU women’s soccer team.

After scoring a pair of goals this weekend — including a game-winner — IU Coach Amy Berbary said she was happy with her decision to give Bujouves the start.

“Did we do the right thing starting her, or what?” Berbary said jokingly after the game. “Jessie has earned a starting spot this week, and we couldn’t have asked for more. She scored goals on both set pieces, both game winners.”

Bujouves picked up her goals off corner kicks by fellow sophomore midfielder Kayleigh Steigerwalt. The defense, anchored by senior goalie Shannon Flower, recorded pair of shutouts to lead the Hoosiers past Eastern Michigan 1-0 Friday and Eastern Kentucky 5-0 Sunday.

Friday’s game against Eastern Michigan had started out similarly to the game against Loyola. The offense was getting shots off, but they were not going in. That changed when Steigerwalt found Bujouves for the goal.

“I think that the week leading up to the game on Friday we really focused on ‘how can we get through the backline and the mid that is so compressed?’” Bujouves said. “I think we did a really good job of being able to slot balls through and get balls past the defenders and getting shots off that.”

Berbary and Bujouves said set pieces had not been the strongest part of the Hoosiers’ game early in the year. They were a part of the game that Bujouves said the Hoosiers were trying to change.

“It is really important to take advantage of them and challenge for balls,” Bujouves said.

On the defensive end, when the Eagles got shots off, Flower was there, recording four saves, including a punch-save that maintained the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

“We are defending very well as a unit,” Berbary said. “I credit our backs, our mids and our forwards for just jamming them up and making sure they keep the field compact, not allowing them to shoot.”

The defensive performance seemingly carried over into Sunday with IU breezing past Eastern Kentucky 5-0.

The Hoosiers found the back of the net early, scoring two goals in the first nine minutes of the game. The first goal came exactly as it did in Friday’s game — Steigerwalt finding Bujouves for the goal off a corner kick.

“It was kind of like deja vu,” Bujouves said. “I am kind of used to where the girls play the ball in the box, and basically I just need to get in that area, get up into the air and try to get my head on it.”

Senior midfielder Lisa Nouanesengsy recorded her third career hat trick, netting three consecutive goals including a penalty kick.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” she said. “They set me up well, and I’m happy with the outcome.”

IU has been getting goals from a number of different players lately, but Berbary said she still thinks Nouanesengsy is vital to the offense.

“She is the engine that makes us go, and the kids know that,” Berbary said. “Other players have to step up, but today she was just out of her mind.”

Next for IU is the Hoosier Classic. Earlier in the week Berbary said she wanted to use this weekend to pick up momentum. After a pair of shutout wins she said she believes her team has the momentum she wanted.

“We’ve got it,” Berbary said. “Now we just need to take this in and enjoy it today. (Monday) we can take the day off, but then Tuesday get back to work because we’ve got two tough teams coming in.”

Follow reporter Sam Beishuizen on Twitter @Sam_Beishuizen.