Indiana women’s soccer did what it has done all season — leaned on its defense. But this time, the offense joined the party.
The Hoosiers’ back line stood firm for 87 minutes while second-half goals from sophomore defender Bella Haggerty and junior midfielder Paige Droner powered IU to a 2–1 win over Penn State. It was the program’s first victory over the Nittany Lions in 29 years and its first-ever regular season home win in the series.
The win keeps Indiana’s postseason dreams alive. The Hoosiers must win their final match to reach the Big Ten Tournament, and Sunday’s performance showed the formula that’s gotten them this far — defend relentlessly, stay organized and capitalize when chances come.
All season head coach Josh Rife and his squad have worked hard to find every way possible to score. All season it’s been a challenge, as they’ve only posted 21 goals in 16 games.
Earlier in the season, following a scoreless draw against Washington on Sept. 25, Rife reflected on the difficulty of finishing chances in soccer.
“It’s such a challenging game in that way,” Rife said. “You can do everything right — create the looks, move the ball well, execute the plan — and still not get the result you want. That’s why when the goals come, they feel that much more earned.”
That’s also why, when defense is continually the focal point, wins can come sporadically.
Still, the defense continues to set the standard, anchored by senior defender Olivia Albert, whose leadership and composure were on full display against Penn State. Albert organized the back line, cut off through balls and helped the Hoosiers hold off the Nittany Lions’ late push.
“She’s been such a rock for us,” Rife said postgame. “Her voice, her composure — she’s that calming influence every great back line needs. She keeps everyone accountable and sets the tone for how we defend as a group.”
Albert’s consistency has been key all year, especially in tight matches where the Hoosiers’ margin for error is slim.
Indiana’s defense showed impressive discipline against Penn State, effectively disrupting the Nittany Lions’ blocking and clearing attempts, stepping into passing lanes and applying consistent pressure on shots. Its collective effort kept the Hoosiers’ goal secure for the first 87 minutes, showcasing a structured, resilient backline.
Allowing just six shots on goal, Indiana made keepers’ jobs relatively easy. Senior Dani Jacobson made four key saves in the first half, while graduate student Sally Rainey added one crucial stop to help keep the Hoosiers’ lead intact until very late.
With the win, Indiana, now 2–3–5 in the Big Ten, and 5-5-6 overall, maintains relative control of its postseason destiny. Next Sunday, the Hoosiers host Iowa at Bill Armstrong Stadium, a must win matchup that will determine Indiana’s Big Ten Tournament fate.
“We’ve talked all year about controlling what we can,” Rife said. “Now it’s about recovery, focus, and going again with that same heart and discipline. We’ve got everything still in front of us.”
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.
