Late Goal Guides IU Past No. 23 SMU, 1-0

Friday, September 8

Dallas, TX

8:00 PM

Indiana University

4-3-0

SMU

3-1-2

Indiana

SMU

9/8/2017 11:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

DALLAS – Behind an 80^th minute score from junior Maya Piper and a shutout by freshman goalkeeper Bethany Kopel, Indiana Women's Soccer defeated No. 23 SMU on Friday night, 1-0. The win was the first against a ranked opponent for the program since 2010.

In addition, it was the first victory since a ranked non-conference foe since 2009.

"I think this team can be really special this year," said head coach Amy Berbary. "We're still trying to find ourselves, we're still trying to figure out how to be consistent. SMU is a very organized, dangerous team. The way our kids played today, they went out and took it and deserve every bit of today's win."

The winner from the Hoosiers came on a corner kick, which IU (4-3) held a 5-1 advantage on against the previously unbeaten Mustangs. Sophomore Meghan Scott sent in the corner to redshirt junior Mykayla Brown, who knocked it towards Piper. Piper then tapped it in for her fourth goal of the season.

SMU (3-1-2) held a 12-9 shot advantage, but the Hoosiers outshot the Mustangs in the second half, 6-4.

"I think since we started off the first half so well, we were able to come out in the second half confident," said senior Kayla Smith. "No one let up and I think it was a real group effort defending. When you defend as one, you're going to increase your chances against good teams."

Indiana's best chance of the first half came in the 16^th minute as Kopel distributed the ball to sophomore Chandra Davidson, who took it down the left flank. Davidson sent a diagonal cross to Smith, whose ball was collected by SMU goalkeeper Catie Brown just before Piper could get to it.

The Hoosiers' first shot on goal didn't come until the 57^th minute on a shot from Scott. Just two minutes later freshman Hanna Németh nearly broke the stalemate as her header off a corner bounced off the crossbar.

Indiana continued to develop strong offensive possessions late in the game as a shot by sophomore Sydney Kilgore from just inside the 18-yard box was saved for the second shot on target in the 77^th minute.

A few minutes later, Piper knocked in the gamewinner for the Hoosiers.

"We talk about how set pieces can win and lose you games," said Berbary. "We had a couple chances but at the end of the day, our message today and our mentality was to execute. We earned that corner late in the game and we made a play. That's all you can ask for."

Kopel collected four saves in goal, earning her third shutout of the season. She made two stops in the second half, including a hard look from Lauren Harrington in the 70^th minute.

Indiana returns to action on Sunday as the Hoosiers close out non-conference play at North Texas, who received votes in latest Untied Soccer Coaches Poll. IU and the Mean Green are set to kickoff Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.