SPORTS: Women's Soccer Falls In Season Opener

by Michael Hadley

The IUPUI Women's Soccer team (0-1-0) had a rough go in their season opener, falling 4-0 to Miami University (1-0-0) at Miami Soccer Complex.





Both sides were struggling out of the gate as they took a few minutes to feel one another out. That tide of play quickly turned against the Jaguars as the Red Hawks found their stride about halfway through the first period.


IUPUI Head Coach Chris Johnson wasn't exactly pleased with what he saw.


"We just didn't come to play today. We didn't challenge the ball like we needed to. We definitely need to up our attitude and determination in terms of going for the ball if good things are going to happen for us. Not to take anything from them, they've got a good team. But there were a lot of little things I thought we had addressed that we didn't take care of today."


Miami sprung to the lead on a Kayla Zakrzewski blast over the top of first half goalkeeper Giselle Guzman in the 23rd minute. That goal was followed in quick succession in the 25th by a beautiful glancing header by Katy Dolesh that left Guzman shaking her head.

The second half saw a new keeper in net for IUPUI. Kristin Haseley came in to try her hand at stopping the Red Hawk offense, but met a similar fate. Zakrzewski scored her second goal in the 70th minute after a beautiful outlet pass, using a one-timed boot over a sliding Haseley to add to Miami's lead. Dolesh had the final nail to put in IUPUI's coffin in the 75th, tapping in a bounding ball after an illegal back pass gave the Red Hawks a free kick inside the 18-yard box along the goal line.


Despite IUPUI's increased possession around midfield, Miami's defense just wouldn't budge.


I thought Megan (Hock) was dangerous by herself running down the field," Johnson lamented. "Beyond that, there was not a lot of good stuff going on. Anna Rode came in and gave us some good stuff and I thought Karin Demo came in and gave a good level of effort off the bench."


IUPUI was out shot 17-3 on the night that required just one Miami save, as well as conceding eight corner kicks on defense.

The Jaguars will travel to Indiana State to battle the Sycamores Sunday afternoon. Follow @CampusCitizen on Twitter for live updates throughout that match.

Final Line --
IUPUI 0 0 - 0
Miami 2 2 - 4