The opportunity was there for IU women's soccer Sunday afternoon.
After beginning the 2017 season by defeating Cal Poly 3-1 Friday night, IU faced No. 13 Clemson in the final match of the Hoosier Challenge Cup at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Despite playing competitively for 90 minutes against the Tigers, the Hoosiers were unable to convert on the offensive end and lost the match 1-0.
The victory meant the Tigers were the only team to finish the tournament with a winning record, after both Clemson and IU won their opening matches Friday.
"We put together a really good performance," IU Coach Amy Berbary said. "It's soccer for you. All the stats were pretty much even."
IU recorded six shots to Clemson's five. The Tigers took eight corner kicks compared to only six for the Hoosiers. Neither side was able to dominate possession during the 90 minutes.
However, the Clemson offense made one of the game's few offensive chances count in the 31st minute.
A long ball into the IU penalty box wasn't cleared properly and eventually fell to the feet of Clemson graduate forward Jenna Polonsky. Polonsky made no mistake with her finish, sweeping the ball into the net for the game's only goal.
"We made the initial save on the goal," Berbary said. "They had some dangerous players."
Aside from the Clemson goal, the new-look IU defense fared well for the second-straight contest.
Freshman defender Hanna Németh has established herself while playing center defender, while freshman goalkeeper Bethany Kopel has continued to gain experience in net.
After displaying some nerves during her collegiate debut Friday, Kopel looked more comfortable distributing the ball with her feet during Sunday's match.
Kopel has now played all 180 minutes of action for the Hoosiers this season.
"She doesn't look like a freshman to me," Berbary said. "She's a pretty confident kid. We'll look to just build on each performance.
While IU is looking to youth in the back, returning players are hoping to make an impact on offense.
Sophomore midfielder Chandra Davidson and junior forward Mykayla Brown both made their presence felt in and around the Clemson 18-yard box.
Junior defender Caroline Dreher took on a more advanced role during Sunday's match, playing a box-to-box game for Berbary.
"We're definitely trying to focus on being as hard defensively as we were last year and keeping the attacking piece progressing and moving," Dreher said. "Working on the cohesion of the defense and the attack."
IU's defensive shape stayed intact throughout Sunday's game, as Clemson was limited to just two shots on goal.
The defensive stability was welcomed by Berbary, after her team was outscored 12-4 last season in five games against ranked opponents.
"In year's past, I think we would have hung on, but we certainly had a chance today," Berbary said. "We have a lot to look forward to in the next 18 games."
For the first time since 2012, IU will begin the season with three straight home matches.
Louisville (2-0) will visit Bloomington for the second-straight season when the Cardinals face the Hoosiers at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.
