Soccer breaks winning streak
A five-game winning streak for the University of Indianapolis women’s soccer team was snapped by No. 14 Northern Kentucky University Oct. 9. The 0-2 loss pushes the Greyhound record to 8-4-0 (6-3-0 GLVC).
UIndy was outshot, taking only five shots to NKU’s 20. NKU also had nine corner kicks to UIndy’s three.
“They didn’t let us play our game,” Head Coach Kiley Cirillo said. “And Bellarmine took a lot out of us.”
Senior goalkeeper Shae Morris had five saves for the day.
The team picked up its fifth straight victory on Oct. 7 by defeating Bellarmine University 2-1.
Sophomore forward Shelby Spinelli scored her second goal of the season in the third minute of the game, putting the Greyhounds up 1-0. Sophomore forward Nicole Duncan assisted on the play.
Five minutes later, UIndy scored again. This time, Duncan and Spinelli traded places as Duncan took a pass off Spinelli for the goal.
This was Duncan’s seventh team-leading goal of the season.
“We finished the ball early twice and then weathered the storm,” Cirillo said.
Bellarmine scored its only goal in the 20th minute off a header in the box after a corner kick.
Morris made two saves on the night.
UIndy defeated Kentucky Wesleyan College on Oct. 2 with an 8-2 victory.
Redshirt junior midfielder Kristen Conway led the team with three goals, freshman midfielder Taylor Kelly posted two goals, and Duncan and freshman and senior midfielders Kara Webb and Lauren Soza each scored one goal.
“It was definitely a fun day,” Cirillo said. “We had the opportunity to get organized defensively and take care of some nicks in the defense.”
Duncan noted the group effort responsible for the victories.
“Every person on our team has been a major part of our success so far,” Duncan said. “The major thing that has worked well is that we never give up. We fight through everything, and we have pulled off some great wins”
Despite being outshot 20-17 and taking six fewer corner kicks than the University of Southern Indiana on Sept. 30, the Greyhounds triumphed 2-1. The victory was led by goals from Duncan and Spinelli. Morris had six saves for the night.
UIndy upset the then No. 3 ranked Quincy University on Sept. 25 with a 1-0 shut-out victory. Duncan scored the game-winner in the 65th minute off a pass from Spinelli.
“It was definitely a game of midfield battle,” Cirillo said. “We needed that win and our big players really stepped up to prove us in the conference.”
Morris had four saves for the day.
“I can honestly say I didn’t have much to do,” Morris said. “Everyone worked together to only allow about four legitimate shots on frame.”
The Greyhounds face Missouri University of Science and Technology (3-7-1, 3-7-0 GLVC) Oct. 14 at home followed by Drury University (5-7-1, 2-7-1 GLVC) on Oct. 16, which will also be the team’s senior night.
“The team always plays with a lot of emotion on that night, as they should,” Cirillo said.
The Greyhounds will host Missouri University of Science and Technology on Oct. 14.
