On a day dedicated to honoring Indiana’s seniors, it was only fitting that seniors — defender Olivia Albert, forward Sarah Sirdah and defender Abbey Iler — combined for the Hoosiers’ lone goal in a 1–0 win Sunday against Ohio University at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington.
In their last match against Xavier University, freshman defender Grace Hamm — who had already netted her first career goal earlier that night — was the one who stepped up to the penalty spot. Head coach Josh Rife explained the team’s approach to set pieces in a press conference postgame.
“The decision on who takes a penalty shot is left up to the girls and who believes they can get the job done, it’s an in-the-moment decision,” Rife said.
That night it was Hamm who converted, sending a missile on her penalty attempt to level the match at 2–2.
On senior day, it was Albert who took the spotlight. After Indiana was awarded an indirect free kick just outside the Bobcats’ 18-yard box, the Hoosiers looked poised for a breakthrough.
Albert was chosen to take the free kick. She stood over the ball beside the large Big Ten logo painted across the pitch, surveying the mass of crimson and black jerseys waiting in the box. As the referee’s whistle signaled play, she raised her left arm, took a steady approach, and delivered a curling cross into traffic.
Her pass looping, it found the head of Sirdah, who rose to redirect the ball perfectly into the path of Iler. The senior forward connected with a powerful header of her own, finishing the play in style to give Indiana the lead. For Iler, the moment could not have been scripted any better.
“That just felt like the best thing ever,” Iler said. “I couldn’t have been more perfect. This team has worked so hard every single day this season to be where we are now. Being able to do that for my team today just means the world to me.”
The senior forward now has two goals on the season after scoring earlier this year against Bellarmine.
“Scoring’s hard, so I’m proud of myself for that,” Iler said. “But I wouldn’t be able to do it without anyone else behind me. Both goals I’ve scored, I’ve just had to be in the right place at the right time. It’s a team effort, and I’m really proud of this group today.”
Beyond the goal, senior day was a reminder of how much this class has meant to the program. Their experience and consistency, Rife noted, has set the tone both on and off the field.
After the match, Rife praised his senior class for their poise and leadership.
“This senior group has been unbelievable as far as just the leadership, the consistency…” Rife said. "To see them have success today on senior day and to be able to recognize and honor them was really great.”
The Hoosiers’ defensive effort was just as important, as they secured their second shutout in the first six matches, only conceding six goals in the timeframe.
“I don’t praise the butterfly without recognizing the caterpillar,” Rife said. “There’s been a foundation laid before even our staff got here about good defensive work and toughness. It’s great to see them continue that.”
The head coach credited the entire team for their defensive commitment, pointing to his forwards’ willingness to work without the ball.
“Our front runners aren’t afraid to put a shift in defensively and deny service into the box,” Rife said. “Maybe it’s just a handful of moments each half, but that makes a big difference. I’m proud of our backs, but really it’s about the whole group’s commitment to defend.”
Indiana is now 3-0-1 at home, with both of its losses coming on the road. The Hoosiers will need that resilience as they shift into conference play, beginning with a three-game road stretch.
“Conference games are hard, conference road wins are tough,” Rife said. “It’ll test us a bit, really challenge us. We’ve been undefeated at the Bill, but our two road trips so far we’ve come away on the losing end. To compete in the Big Ten, you’ve got to string some points together on the road. That’s our focus now as we prepare for Illinois.”
Indiana women’s soccer will hit the road to face Illinois on Friday, Sept. 12, with a 7 p.m. kickoff in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.
Follow reporters Noah Gerkey (@Noah_Gerk and ngerkey@iu.edu) and Will Kwiatkowski (@WKwiatkowski_15 and wdkwiatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana women's soccer season.
