Photo Credit: @IndianaWSOC/X
Following a loss against UCLA, The Indiana Hoosiers returned to Bill Armstrong Stadium to take on the USC Trojans. The Trojans were coming off a win against Indiana Rival, Purdue.
The first half of the game saw excellent defensive plays from both teams, keeping the ball out of the net throughout the half. The game also saw lots of back-and-forth play, with both the Hoosiers and the Trojans keeping the ball near midfield.
Indiana saw improvements in their offensive play from Thursday night’s game, as they were able to keep possession of the ball, in their attacking third.
However, USC sought after more chances to score throughout the first half. Senior goalkeeper Jamie Gertsenberg, was able to block most of their attempts, keeping it tight at the net, for the first half.
The 37th minute of the game, saw its first shot on goal, by freshman forward Layla Sirdah, however, it was blocked by the Trojan Graduate Goalkeeper, Laurence Gladu.
The first half of the game sat at 0-0.
However, shifting into the second half USC took a more aggressive approach offensively. The Trojans were able to take over possession, finding the net in the 63rd Minute, with a goal by senior midfielder Helena Sampaio, off her assist, over a Hoosier defender, straight into the bottom right of the goal. Putting the score at 0-1.
USC continued to obtain possession, just 4 minutes later, senior forward Kayla Colbert sent one to the top left of the goal. Raising the score against the Hoosiers to 0-2.
Despite Indiana putting pressure on USC’s defense, and keeping the ball in their attacking third, they were unable to put one in the net.
There were attempts in the second half for goals by Sirdah, and sophomore midfielder Kennedy Neighbors, however, they were both saved by USC’s Gladu.
Following another loss in the Big Ten Conference, associate coach Tim Verschuren mentioned how he wants to see improvements and better offensive plays from the Hoosiers going into next week’s games.
Next week, Indiana will head to the West Coast to take on Oregon on Thursday, and Washington on Sunday. Indiana will return home, on October 10th, to take on Purdue.
