Coming into the season, questions arose on how Indiana was going to recover offensively from the losses of Paige Webber and Anna Bennett. On Tuesday in Muncie, it took four minutes to get an answer.
Indiana head coach Erwin van Bennekom’s signature high pressure began straight from the opening kickoff against Ball State as Indiana forced turnovers and controlled possession early. It wasn’t long until defense turned into offense. In the third minute, Indiana’s first chance sailed wide left off the foot of senior captain Sydney Masur deep in the box. As the pressure stayed on, the chances kept coming.
Less than a minute later, freshman Layla Sirdah took possession at midfield in a swarm of Ball State defenders. Looking like a seasoned veteran, she waltzed her way upfield through six Cardinals and threaded the needle to sophomore Kennedy Neighbors for an easy goal.
Sirdah didn’t stop there. In the seventh minute, she blasted a shot from the right side of the box that earned Indiana a corner. Van Bennekom continued to put strong trust in his young players, dialing up a set piece on the corner from Sirdah to another freshman in Haden Vlcek. Vlcek, making her first career start, skied up to head it in off the crossbar off the perfect pass from Sirdah.
It was all Indiana seven minutes in, and it was all Indiana’s defense needed in IU’s 2-1 victory over Ball State.
Indiana softened up the pressure, granting Ball State some offensive freedom. The Cardinals had all the momentum for the rest of the half as Addie Chester, Emily Roper and Delaney Caldwell commanded possession. Jamie Gerstenberg made a diving save to rob Roper of a goal in the 18th minute, but flawless passing led to a Chester goal off the post in the 29th minute. Neither team would make a significant attack the rest of the half.
Both teams recorded six shots in the first half and showed some real offensive prowess. Indiana would go into the break up 2-1.
Coming out of the halftime break, the offense was nowhere to be found. Neither team could make a cohesive run or maintain possession. Right as Ball State found an offensive rhythm, Vlcek stepped up once more, breaking up three consecutive crosses into the box in the 57th minute. Sensing desperation, Indiana brought back the high pressure.
The press earned a couple of unsuccessful chances for Vlcek and Olivia Smith, but the Hoosiers were complacent with holding the lead and playing strong defense.
Battling the high pressure, the Cardinals squandered three prime chances in the final 15 minutes and ultimately could not find a way to break through before the final whistle.
Offensively, it has been all about the underclassmen for Indiana. Sirdah has assisted on every goal the Hoosiers have scored this season. Vlcek has been stellar on set pieces. Neighbors and Elle Britt have rattled off shots consistently. With trustworthy veteran-led defense on the back end, Indiana has seemed to find its recipe for success through two matches.
Indiana moves to 2-0-0 on the season and will take on Wright State Thursday, Aug. 29 at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
