With only three games left and sitting outside the postseason picture, Indiana women’s soccer entered Thursday night’s match needing a win — and needing it fast. Facing No. 16 Michigan State on the road, the Hoosiers were up against a tough challenge to keep their Big Ten Tournament hopes alive.
The first half opened slowly, with Indiana’s defense looking solid early, keeping the highest-scoring team in the Big Ten relatively quiet.
As the clock ticked down, the Hoosiers looked to reach halftime tied, when a familiar locker room speech from head coach Josh Rife might spark a second-half surge. With just under five minutes remaining, the Spartans broke through.
Michigan State junior midfielder Kayla Briggs had a contested chance near the penalty stripe in Indiana’s 18-yard box, but her blocked shot ricocheted harmlessly into the arms of senior goalkeeper Dani Jacobson.
Jacobson’s punt was quickly intercepted and turned around by Michigan State’s back line, setting up another attack. After a series of passes and a missed turnover opportunity for Indiana, Briggs found herself 25 yards from the goal near the top of the box.
With two steps and a swing, she launched a missile to the top left corner where no goalkeeper could stop it.
With the clock winding down in the half, Indiana pressed aggressively for an equalizer. Senior forward Sarah Sirdah surged toward the net, weaving through defenders. Her shot — a hurried attempt under pressure — was deflected and saved.
Michigan State wasted no time flipping the field and caught Indiana falling back in transition. With a string of passes, the ball found its way to sophomore forward Shelby Vaughn, who spotted junior defender Ella Janz making a run into space. Vaughn threaded a pass through and found the feet of Janz.
With composure, she settled and struck the ball to the bottom left corner, pushing the lead to two in the 45th minute.
In the Hoosiers’ last game Oct. 12, they found themselves on the opposite side of this deficit, leading Michigan 2-0 minutes after halftime. For the Hoosiers, a conceded comeback in the remaining minutes allowed the Wolverines erased the lead and left the Hoosiers with a draw.
This time, there was no comeback. Graduate student goalkeeper Sally Rainey held strong in net, silencing the Spartans offense for the second half. But the offense for Indiana remained silent, and the Hoosiers fell to the Spartans 2-0.
Indiana takes on Penn State on Sunday and Iowa on Oct. 26 at home where it has been at the top of its game this season.
With a record of 4-0-3 at home and 0-5-3 on the road, the Hoosiers look to return to the Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington, where they have a shot at earning a spot in the Big Ten tournament.
