Indiana women’s soccer wasted no time proving its attack could be a difference-maker in 2025. With six different scoring plays — including two goals each from sophomore midfielder Maggie Ledwith and senior forward Sarah Sirdah — the Hoosiers’ offense powered past Youngstown State University 6-1 Thursday night.
The Hoosiers commanding victory gave first-year head coach Josh Rife his first win in his Indiana coaching debut, and his 50th victory all time.
Both programs entered the contest in similar positions, each looking to start strong under a new head coach. The Penguins, who finished with just five wins last season, aimed to make history with their first-ever victory over a Big Ten opponent.
Sophomore Haden Vlcek got the scoring started for the Hoosiers in the 12th minute. After receiving a free kick from Senior Olivia Albert, Vleck put a nifty header on the goal. Despite the attempt being saved, the sophomore tapped the rebound off of her right foot and found the bottom right corner of the net to open the scoring.
In the second half, the Hoosiers were able to turn the constant pressure into five more goals in the final forty-five minutes.
Ledwith peppered a shot to the bottom left corner, past the diving reach of redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Maya Naimoli. Her shot came a few yards past the 18-yard box in the 47th minute, adding to Indiana’s lead shortly after the break.
With Indiana attacking in the 60th minute, freshman defender Grace Hamm put a seamless through ball into the box. Sophomore forward Aleyna Quinn met it with her right foot, netting her first collegiate goal to extend the Indiana lead.
Just a minute later, Ledwith found herself in the right place at the right time, as a deflected pass in Youngstown State’s box found her feet. She followed with her second goal of the night, rolling a shot past the shielded Naimoli who didn’t see the shot until it was too late.
In the 75th minute, Penguin freshman defender Ava Paris tripped up Sirdah in the box, which led to a penalty. Sirdah did not waste her opportunity as she knocked in the penalty kick to push the Indiana lead to five.
Youngstown State found a score in the 79th minute, ending the shutout. Freshman forward Baylee Williams netted a breakaway opportunity past the diving effort of Indiana senior goalkeeper Dani Jacobson. The goal cut the Indiana lead to 5-1 but was the extent of the Penguin scoring.
Indiana’s control of possession throughout the match aided their commanding victory. The Hoosiers dominated the stat sheet throughout, leaving Youngstown State with very few opportunities to strike. However, one errant pass from Jacobsen was intercepted and sent up for a score as the Penguins were able to find themselves on the scoreboard as the game began to come to a close.
Sirdah and the Hoosiers weren't satisfied as she struck a laser into the top left corner from twenty yards out. Her shot sailed past the goalkeeper with 1:30 remaining in the match, tallying her second score and the Hoosiers sixth score of the match.
In a postgame interview with Big Ten Network, Rife credited his team’s success to their coachability and the changes implemented following halftime.
The Hoosiers notched their third consecutive season opening victory as Rife begins his coaching career at Indiana with a win. Indiana takes on Ball State University at 5 p.m. Thursday, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington.
