After the Michigan State matchup was postponed due to lightning on Friday, IU women’s soccer made up for lost time Sunday, drawing with Michigan in double overtime.
It was the first draw of the season for IU, who had to work hard to keep the game scoreless while Michigan outshot them 22-8 through 90 minutes plus two overtimes.
Despite still not having a Big Ten conference win through three games, the Hoosiers' draw with a Michigan team that had won five straight games served as an affirmation that IU’s defensive scheme is potent enough to slow down a Big Ten opponent.
“I think today was a total team effort. We had eleven players defending, obviously getting a clean sheet,” IU head coach Erwin van Bennekom said. “Defending starts from the front, and attacking starts from the back."
The Hoosiers got the scoring chances rolling first, as junior midfielder Melanie Forbes had a shot go wide right of the net in the second minute.
Michigan took over control for most of the rest of the first half until Forbes got another shot off in the 38th minute, this one on net but saved. IU freshmen Alaina Kalin and Avery Lockwood also got shot opportunities in the final minutes of the half.
Through the first 45, Michigan was outshooting IU 9-4, but the game remained scoreless.
In the second half, the Wolverines proceeded to apply even more pressure to the Hoosiers defense yet could not break through.
Outshooting the Hoosiers 10-2, the Wolverines managed to get five shots on goal, but all five shots were saved by junior goalkeeper Bethany Kopel, who had six total in the match.
Seniors Allison Jorden and Chandra Davidson had the Hoosiers' two shots of the half, including a breakaway for Davidson, but she was unable to score, the shot missing wide right.
Through another 90 minutes of Big Ten play, IU had failed to score a goal.
“We’ve got to finish,” van Bennekom said. “We had two really great chances today, one breakaway with Channy. The best way for us to win games against teams like this is to win them 1-nil. To be defensively organized.”
Two overtime periods resulted in a couple more empty chances as the teams settled for the double overtime draw.
“To get a draw here on the road, is a great performance,” van Bennekom said. “We worked really hard, stayed together as a defensive organization.”
