Indiana women's soccer was back in action for the first game of the season this past Wednesday at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers were up against the Hampton Pirates, and kept the pressure on the visitors during a 2-1 win. Defender Bella Haggerty scored both goals for the Hoosiers.
Indiana entered the night with strong confidence, backed by goalkeeper Dani Jacobson. Jacobson led the Hoosiers with a 77.5% save percentage in the 2025-2026 season, and did not disappoint.
Hampton gained early possession of the ball, but Indiana quickly took over control. Midfielder Maggie Ledwith received a pass at the top of the box, pushing Hampton's defense. Just two minutes into the game, midfielder Jenna Chatterton connected with defender Bella Haggerty, who launched a shot straight to the top of the box. This gave the Hoosiers a quick 1-0 lead.
Defender Piper Coffield quickly shined as she led the defensive line in shutting down any attempt made by Hampton.
Indiana passing sequences were intentional and quick. Showing these sequences came during the middle of the first half, with forward Aleyna Quinn quickly moving the ball to Maggie Ledwith, who quickly led it to Jenna Chatterton who ended the pass with a clean shot that Hampton’s keeper Avery John managed to stop.
Approaching the 30-minute mark, Indiana earned its first free kick of the night. Defender Grace Hamm played a short pass to midfielder Kennedy Neighbors. Neighbors' shot went over the net keeping the game at 1-0. Midfielder Paige Droner drove in a long shot that was saved. However, Droner kept playing on this pressure Indiana was bringing, allowing her to complete passes at the top of Hampton’s box.
Indiana played comfortably during this first half, as the majority of the half was spent on Hampton’s side.
Indiana earned three corner kicks in the first half. With 16 minutes remaining, midfielder Summer Fishel sent a strong ball to the box, finding Coffield's head, but Hampton’s keeper prevented a goal. Ten minutes later, Fishel connected with Haggerty, whose attempt at a goal went over the net. The final corner came with six minutes left, when Hampton was able to clear it but Indiana defense regained possession.
Indiana repeatedly showed how dominant they were in regaining control to allow for Hoosier possession. The first half ended with Indiana leading 1-0, and this theme would remain prevalent throughout the second half.
Even with rain rolling in, Indiana stayed strong and opened the second half aggressively.
Hampton tried to pick up momentum by rushing the ball down to Indiana's goal but once again the Pirates were stopped by Indiana's centerbacks who booted it straight to the Hoosiers. Indiana put great pressure on Hampton’s keeper, John, who hit the turf hard and collided with an Indiana player on separate occasions. Hampton began to play tougher, earning a few turnovers, yet Indiana's defense held firm.
Forward Sloane May pushed in from the wings, and Hampton cleared the ball. But this allowed for Indiana to shoot its second corner kick of the half. Defender Ella Stanley took the corner kick, delivering the ball straight to Haggerty with a header into the goal. This put Indiana up 2-0.
Hampton responded with a goal of its own with 20 minutes remaining from forward Caitlyn Peace. This tightened the score to 2-1.
Backing down wasn't in the cards for the Hoosiers who kept the pressure high. Catterton nearly scored from a pass sent by defender Josie Pratl, but the shot was just too wide to hit the goal. Quinn once again drove toward the goal, placing the Hoosiers at an opportunity for another corner kick. Coffield hawked down Hampton’s players, allowing for Indiana for a chance at a throw-in. The Hoosiers know how to use the wings in their favor, Neighbors receives a corner kick that gets palmed by Hampton’s keeper Jackie Jenkins.
Indiana played smart in the last few minutes, keeping control of the ball while also playing with the same stamina they had in the beginning. Both teams traded corner kicks, but the Indiana defense cleared, and the Hoosiers closed out their season-opening victory.
Indiana will return to action on Aug. 16, against Youngstown State at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
