Indiana University
Louisville
IUWS Set for Louisville, Western Michigan
8/23/2017 4:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Thursday's game against the Cardinals marks the last home game for Indiana until Sept. 23 as the Hoosiers are set to embark on a seven-game road swing. After Sunday's visit to Kalamazoo, Indiana will travel to Nashville, Tenn., Texas and Michigan before returning to host Purdue on Sept. 23. It's one of the longest road stretches in program history with the most recent similar travel schedule coming in the form of a five-game swing in 2015.
LOOKING AT LOUISVILLE
Indiana and Louisville resumed the series last season after not playing since 1997 previously. The Hoosiers lead the all-time record, 2-0-1. Last year, the teams battled to a 1-1 draw. Annelie Leitner put Indiana up in the 4th minute and the Hoosiers held the lead until Allison Whitfield equalized in the 76th minute.
The Cardinals have started their season 2-0, picking up a 3-2 victory against Boston and a 2-0 shutout of Miami (Oh). All five Louisville goals were scored by different players, including Whitfield and Gabrielle Vincent, who also added an assist. In goal, Gabrielle Kouzelos played every minute over the weekend and combined for seven saves.
BATTLING THE BRONCOS
Western Michigan is off a 1-0 start after defeating Oakland on Sunday, 3-1. In the win against the Golden Grizzles, Colleen McKay, Savannah Bosworth and Emma Kahn all found the back of the net. Former Hoosier Grace Labadie assisted on McKay's score. Goalkeeper Stephanie Heber made a pair of saves in the win. The Broncos finished the 2016 season with a mark of 13-7-1 and were picked to finished third in the MAC West in last week's preseason coaches poll.
IU leads the all-time series, 2-1-0, however the Broncos came away with a 2-0 victory in Bloomington last season.
LAST TIME OUT
IU opened the season last weekend by hosting the Hoosier Challenge Cup. On Friday, Indiana defeated Cal Poly, 3-1 as Maya Piper, Meghan Scott and Annelie Leitner all scored. Scott also added an assist on Piper's goal. In her collegiate debut, freshman goalkeeper Bethany Kopel collected three saves. On Sunday, IU battled No. 13 Clemson, but ultimately fell, 1-0.
WHAT'S AHEAD IN 2017?
The 2017 schedule features 10 total games against participants in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and 11 opponents who finished last season ranked in the top 60 of the RPI.
The non-conference portion of the slate includes eight games, with three opponents advancing to the tournament last year and four finishing in the RPI Top 60.
Big Ten play for Indiana includes 2016 Big Ten Co-Champions Northwestern and Minnesota, as well as seven meetings with 2016 NCAA Tournament teams.
In this week's United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, five of Indiana's 2017 opponents are ranked - No. 13 Clemson, No. 14 Nebraska, No. 15 Rutgers, No. 22 Michigan and No. 23 Northwestern. In addition, another four opponents received votes.
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