On Aug. 27, the Indiana University Kokomo women’s soccer team hosted against IU South Bend at the Kokomo Municipal stadium. The Cougars were able to chalk up their first win of the season over the Titans, making the team’s record 1-0-2. 

IU Kokomo started hot from the opening whistle, as they scored five of their six goals within the first half. Forward Morgan Scruggs started things off for the Cougars with an assist from fellow forward Keely Hoopingarner scoring the first goal in the 12th minute of the match.  

Hoopingarner wasn’t finished, however, as in the 13th minute of the match, she would go ahead and score a goal of her own assisted by midfielder Kaiya Bogers. Bogers, a freshman, would waste no time putting her name on the stat sheet by scoring at the 16-minute mark unassisted. Bogers would dish out another assist this time to midfielder Kelsi Hoot in the 17th minute.  

The Cougars had only begun, scoring again in the 36th minute, thanks to Mackenzie Pedigo off the assist from Kendra Brewer. Hoopingarner still had some beef with the ball, putting it in the back of the net just three minutes into the second half. 

This second goal by Hoopingarner would tie a school record for the Cougars as fellow teammate Ashlyn Morefield and alumni Taylor Coram had scored two goals in a match previously.  

“It’s great to get such a nice win over a fellow IU school. We will look to ride this momentum going into our next game,” Senior forward Andi Williams said.  

“This group has worked so hard and it was a great team win. There is still work to do but we are heading in the right direction,” Head Coach Soahalia said after the win.  

The Cougar’s defense suffocated the Titans as they struggled to get any shots. IU Kokomo outshot IU South Bend 54-1, this included 0 shots on goal for the Titans. 

“This result was a reflection of the hard work we have been putting in at practice.” Goalie Alicia Burns said. “We have something to prove this season and each player played a big part in the victory.”