While this past weekend saw the IU women’s soccer team find an answer to its offensive woes, defensive concerns persisted.
IU has given up at least two goals in each of its last four matches and not kept an opponent scoreless since a 3-0 win against Northern Colorado on Aug. 28. The Hoosier backline hopes to end this streak Thursday night in Evanston, Illinois, when the team begins Big Ten play at Northwestern.
“We have to continue to get better on set pieces,” IU Coach Amy Berbary said. “I think we need to tighten up all over the field and defend with 11 players.”
IU’s 4-2 victory against James Madison on Sunday showed the offensive firepower the team has. Sophomore Mykayla Brown scored twice in the win. However, the match also showed the vulnerability of IU in defense.
James Madison scored twice in 48 seconds to take the lead midway through the first half before IU responded with two quick goals of its own to secure the win. A similar defensive lapse against Northwestern could prove far more costly.
The Wildcats have allowed just one goal this season and have scored 13 of their own.
“Shame on us for giving up two goals in a minute. But our response was very good, being able to get two goals back in a minute as well,” Berbary said.
Northwestern is the only Big Ten team to emerge from non-conference play without a defeat. The Wildcats are a perfect 7-0 this season. That mark includes a pair of 1-0 wins last weekend against Illinois State and Marquette. Perhaps the most impressive feature of Northwestern’s early season run has been its offensive dominance of its opponents.
Averaging 16.3 shots per game compared to only 6.6 for their opponents, the Wildcats are on an offensive tear to begin the season. Leading the charge have been sophomore forward Brenna Lovera with four goals and junior forward Maria Fayeulle with three assists.
“They have a similar style to us, the same system of play. It’s almost like looking in the mirror a little bit,” Berbary said. “We just need to stick to our game plan. This week is the time to focus on fine-tuning what we are trying to do.”
The Wildcats also boast a strong defense, which conceded the fewest goals of any Big Ten team during non-conference play. Junior goalkeeper Lauren Clem has made 15 saves and is currently allowing only 0.14 goals per game on average.
In fact, Clem and the Wildcats have stifled opposing offenses for 446 consecutive minutes. They last allowed a goal in a 2-1 victory against DePaul on Aug. 25.
If the Hoosiers are to score a goal Thursday night, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will score it. Seven different players have scored for IU this season, with only two of those players scoring more than once.
The wealth of attacking options gives Berbary and the Hoosiers depth when it comes to choosing who to insert into the match and when.
“We are starting to find the right mix of players,” Berbary said. “The future is looking really good. We just have to keep our heads and continue progressing.”
