IU had one final test before the end of the 2015 season. On Wednesday, IU played for the Golden Boot on its senior night against Purdue and was shut out 2-0.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” IU Coach Amy Berbary said. “But we’re not going to stop because there is a lot of potential in these young ones.”
IU (3-10-6, 0-6-4) did not win a game on Jerry Yeagley Field this season, posting a 0-2-6 home record. IU not only had to face finishing third to last in the Big Ten, but that its seniors had lost to Purdue for the first time in their careers.
Purdue struck first in the first half when sophomore forward Erika Arkans settled a bouncing cross in the penalty box and ripped a shot that senior goalkeeper Sarah Stone got her hand on but couldn’t stop from going into the lower left corner of the net. Purdue was efficient in the first half, converting after only having two shots on goal.
Despite the Hoosiers moving the ball well at times in the first half, they didn’t have their first shot until the 33rd minute that dribbled straight to the goalkeeper. The Boilermakers led at the half, 1-0.
IU dictated the pace of the game for much of the second half.
The Hoosiers had many chances, including a strike by redshirt junior midfielder Kayleigh Steigerwalt that was tipped over the crossbar and another by freshman forward Cassidy Blacha that went over the crossbar.
Even so, the Purdue match was another example of IU’s season where it played well at times but could not finish.
With seven minutes remaining in the second half, the Hoosiers’ night got worse. Senior defender Emily Basten was penalized for a hand ball in the box. Purdue junior forward Maddy Williams proceeded to take the penalty kick and bury it in the lower left corner of the net.
IU will say goodbye to seven seniors on its squad. Despite the loss, Stone earned a milestone to go along with her two saves on the night in her 200th career save.
“I guess it’s nice to have that in the end,” Stone said. “Honestly just seeing the progression that I was able to make with Sergio, the goalkeeper coach, and that accomplishment I think helped show that and I really appreciate it.”
After the game, the Hoosiers stood in a circle on their half of the field. The seniors were visibly upset but held their heads high.
Despite a disappointing end to the season, the young players gained valuable playing time but will look to find that missing ingredient to help them finish.
Berbary said she appreciates what her
seniors did for the program.
“They’re a pretty unique group,” Berbary said. “One of the greatest things they have done is embrace each other. They have shown how to act as people on and off the field and we will look to reap the benefits of that in the future.”
