Electric is the word of the match.
Not just because of the weather delays due to lightning, but because of the 6-0 shutout win the Hoosiers clinched over Wright State.
After an hour long delay in starting the match, the game could finally begin. Both teams warmed up and introductions were announced just before a second weather delay was called. All players, officials and spectators left the stadium for a 30-minute hiatus. When everyone entered back into Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium, the contest continued for only 11 minutes before the third weather delay was called for thunder. Yet, in these 11 minutes we saw nothing but power from Indiana.
In the first few minutes, freshman forward Layla Sirdah scored her first collegiate goal, setting the tone for what would be an offensive heavy match. This early goal and the disruption in game from the weather cranked up the heat for the Wright State Raiders, who then gave up six throw-ins in the following three minutes.
It’s hard to look at the first half and not highlight the absolute powerhouse that is Piper Coffield. Coffield is proving to be an aggressive player and living up to her selection to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in the 2023 season. Scoring a penalty kick goal in the 27th minute, Coffield changed the trajectory for the remainder of the game.
Feeding off the energy of Coffield’s goal, defender Avery Snead scored a huge goal to make the score 3-0. Snead, a transfer graduate student defender from Providence, was another great example of new talent setting their tone for the remainder of the season. Snead showed her versatility in making a play any striker would be proud of, as a defender.
It was nothing but control and dominance in the next 45 minutes for Indiana.
The second half started similar to the first, slow for the Hoosiers. Indiana had two fouls and four goal kicks in the first 14 minutes. The Raiders came into the second half with energy and perseverance, putting Indiana’s defense to work. Despite this, the Hoosiers' defensive line prevented any shots from getting near the goal, making this an easy game for goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg.
But, it was not long after Indiana made three substitutions that senior Hope Paredes scored the first goal of the second half, adding another to the Hoosiers’ tab. Paredes, another Big Ten recognized player in the 2023 season, proved to be a strong force on the field by turning opportunities into points.
Just 65 seconds after Paredes shot and less than a minute after being subbed in, junior forward Marisa Grzesiak wasted no time and sent a left footer into the bottom right of the goal, putting the Hoosiers up 5-0.
But, five goals wasn’t good enough for Indiana. In this complete team effort of a game, Krista Murphy came in just five minutes before regulation ended to send one more into the back of the Raiders’ net as a great ending to the Hoosiers’ impressive performance.
It’s true when they say good things come to those who wait. After nearly two hours of rain delays, Indiana didn’t just secure the win — they made a statement. The Hoosiers not only weathered the storm but unleashed one of their own, leaving no doubts in the potential and power to come in the season.
