The IU women’s soccer team entered this past weekend with questions about its ability to produce offensively and close out matches.
Sunday afternoon’s 3-0 victory against Northern Colorado at Bill Armstrong Stadium answered many of those questions. First-half goals from sophomore forwards Mykayla Brown and Cassidy Blacha got the Hoosiers off to a good start before fellow sophomore forward Maya Piper capped the scoring with a headed goal in the second half.
The win marked the first time in 667 days that IU won a home match.
“We wanted a home win bad,” IU Coach Amy Berbary said. “I’m really proud of the kids. I thought we had really good composure in and around the goal today to put our chances away.”
Much like in their first game of the season against Louisville, IU wasted no time getting on the scoreboard against Northern Colorado. A turnover in the third minute by the Bears allowed junior midfielder Kayla Smith to send a cross into the penalty area, which was deflected to the feet of Brown.
Brown controlled the ball before volleying past junior goalkeeper Madeline Burdick, Brown’s shot hitting the inside of the far post before going in the net. The goal was the second of Brown’s collegiate career and marked the third time in four matches this season that IU opened the scoring.
“I just knew I was in the frame of the goal,” Brown said. “I just hit it. I was right there, so I knew it was going to go in either way.”
Freshman goalkeeper Sarah L’Hommedieu started in goal for the Hoosiers on Sunday in her third appearance this season. L’Hommedieu was tested early by the Bears and made three saves in the first half.
“The upperclassmen in the back have been very helpful to me,” L’Hommedieu said. “They’re very consistent and help pick the team up when they need help.”
IU entered halftime with a 2-0 lead after Blacha finished a cross from sophomore defender Caroline Dreher into the net from six yards out in the 28th minute. The Hoosiers secured the victory with Piper’s goal in the 71st minute. Freshman defender Meghan Scott delivered a corner kick into the Northern Colorado penalty area that Piper headed into the center of the net for the goal.
The victory improves IU’s record to 2-1-1 after their first win of the season Friday night at Butler. Severe weather in Indianapolis delayed the start of the match for 75 minutes until lightning moved out of the area. The match was not delayed again once play began, and the game’s lone goal came courtesy of a 78th minute deflected shot from Dreher.
“We did a good job of being prepared when we needed to,” Berbary said. “I really think the kids took some pride in picking up that first win.”
L’Hommedieu also started against the Bulldogs and made eight saves in the win. Dreher’s goal was the first of her career and lifted IU to its first competitive win in 357 days.
Despite recording consecutive shutout victories, Berbary says the team still has a long way to go this season.
“It’s really hard to complete a weekend of college soccer at our level,” Berbary said. “We still have a lot to learn in the final third, but I’m very happy with our performances.”
