Indiana University
#13 Notre Dame
IU Set for #13 Notre Dame, Ball State
9/10/2015 1:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana Women's Soccer team travels to No. 13 Notre Dame on Friday before returning to Bill Armstrong Stadium on Sunday evening to face another in-state foe in Ball State.
THIS WEEK
Friday, Sept. 11 - Indiana (3-2-1) at No. 13 Notre Dame (5-0-1)
Coverage: Watch | Listen | Live Stats
Sunday, Sept. 13 - Ball State (3-2-1) at Indiana
Coverage: Watch | Live Stats
Promotion: Military Appreciation Day
MATCHING UP WITH NOTRE DAME
The No.13-ranked Fighting Irish are off to an undefeated 5-0-1 start, with wins coming against Valparaiso, Toledo, Santa Clara, Portland and Michigan State. Notre Dame and Western Michigan battled to a 2-2 draw last Friday in Kalamazoo. Anna Gilbertson leads Notre Dame with four goals scored, while the Irish have seen nine totals players score this season. Lexi Nicholas has been carrying the majority of minutes in goal with a 0.51 goals against average. A strong backline by the Irish has kept Nicholas out of harm's way as she has had to make just one save this season.
Friday's matchup marks the 11th in history between these teams with Notre Dame coming away with wins in all 10 previous meetings. The last time these teams did battle was a 2011 4-1 Irish win.
BATTLING BALL STATE
The Cardinals are also off to a 3-2-1 start and like Indiana, competed in LSU's Stomp in the Swamp tournament last weekend. The Cardinals tied LSU, 1-1, and fell to Middle Tennessee State, 1-0. Ball State is led in scoring by Abigail Boswell and Gabby Veldman, who have each scored twice this season. In goal is Alyssa Heintschel, who has picked up 18 saves and a .83 goals-against average.
Sunday's game is just the third time Indiana and Ball State have battled, with each team winning a previous matchup. The Hoosiers came away with a 2-1 in 2007, the most recent meeting.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hoosiers headed south to Baton Rouge, La. for the Stomp in the Swamp tournament. On Friday, Indiana shutout Middle Tennessee State, 2-0, behind goals from freshman Maya Piper and redshirt junior Marissa Borschke. The goal was Piper's first of her career, while Borschke knocked in her second in as many weeks.
On Sunday, the Hoosiers dropped a 4-0 decision to LSU.
DEFENSIVE STREAK COMES TO AN END
The Indiana defense's impressive scoreless streak came to an end on Sunday at 463 minutes, the second longest stretch in Indiana program history. Prior to Sunday's game against LSU, the Hoosiers had not allowed a goal since Virginia Tech's Murielle Tiernan scored in the 18th minute of the season opener.
The Hoosiers are tied for 20th in the nation in shutout percentage (.667), while goalkeeper Sarah Stone is tied for second in the Big Ten for shutouts (4) and shutouts per game (0.67).
FRESHMEN MAKING THEIR MARK
The Hoosiers have seen major contributions from the freshman class this season. Along with first-career goals from Piper and Cassidy Blacha, Caroline Dreher picked up her first career point on an assist to Jessie Bujouves in the season opener. Three freshmen have started at least one game thus far, while five have played significant minutes for the Hoosiers.
HOME SWEET HOME
After a stretch of five road games that spanned three weeks, the Hoosiers finally head back home on Sunday to face Ball State. Indiana currently holds a 0-1-1 record at Armstrong Stadium this season. The promotion for Sunday will be Military Appreciation Day and will feature dog tag giveaways.
WHAT ELSE IS IN STORE FOR 2015?
Indiana continues its homestand next weekend as the Hoosiers open Big Ten play at Armstrong Stadium against Illinois on Friday and Northwestern on Sunday. The game against the Wildcats will be shown live on the Big Ten Network. Five Indiana opponents received a ranking in this week's NSCAA Top 25, including four upcoming competitors.
