Indiana women's soccer suffers first loss of season, unable to capitalize on opportunities against Memphis

In their second road game of the season, Indiana hoped to continue its momentum coming off a win against UT Martin on Thursday. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers could not do so, as they fell to the Memphis Tigers 1-0. In a game where there were some offensive opportunities, the Hoosiers could not capitalize and walked out of Memphis with their first loss of the season.

Memphis came out hot from the get-go, getting corner kicks and shots early on. The Indiana defense held on and halted the early Tiger surge and the team started to get shots on its own. After Indiana got a little offensive momentum of its own, the teams began going back and forth for a while in the first period.

After a yellow card on Memphis’s Grace Stordy, it seemed as though Indiana took control of the game from an offensive standpoint. Kelly Monaco was huge in getting the Hoosiers opportunities at the net and trying to get Indiana on the board. Unfortunately, none of those shots reached the back of the net and the two teams went into the half tied 0-0. On a positive note, IU led in shots taken 3-1, and hoped continue the offensive firepower after halftime.

The Tigers came out of the locker room just like they did to start the game, as they got a couple quick shots to put some pressure on Jaime Gerstenberg. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, with a penalty on Anna Bennett, Memphis was able to draw first blood on a free kick just three minutes into the second half. This would be Gerstenberg’s first goal allowed this season.

But that did not stop the Hoosiers in pursuing the net, as they would rattle off three more shots on goal the next 10 minutes. However, Memphis goalie Elizabeth Moberg did a great job in saving what were some good looks for Indiana, and the Hoosiers remained without a goal. 

Later in the game, Memphis committed a couple fouls, giving the Hoosiers some free kick opportunities. But Indiana could not capitalize on them, as the Tiger defense continued to play a lights-out game. Indiana had one final surge with Bennett along with Melanie Forbes getting some good looks, but none of them fell and IU fell to Memphis 1-0 as time expired. 

This puts the Hoosiers at 2-1-1 on the season with a stretch of three home games coming up starting Thursday night. Indiana will take on the Western Michigan Broncos, who are coming off a strong 4-0 win over IUPUI. Western Michigan stands at 2-2 on the season, with its two losses being to great teams in Michigan and Louisville. The Broncos will be no pushover, so Indiana will have to be on its A-game on both sides of the field in order to secure a win.