Indiana Women’s Soccer started last season at the bottom of the Big Ten Conference preseason polls. The Hoosiers then made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2013. On the court, things are looking much the same this season, with a strong defense and an aggressive offense.

Ranked 10th in the Big Ten Women’s Soccer preseason poll for the 2024 season, Indiana head coach Erwin Van Bennekom’s team entered Thursday night’s season-opening game against the University of Tennessee with a strong performance.

The first half was quiet for both teams, however. The Hoosiers appeared patient, which was not to be expected as the team is known for its fast-paced style of play. What had not changed, however, was veteran goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg’s exceptional presence in the box. The 2023 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year finished the game with four saves and zero goals against. The Volunteers had possession of the ball for most of the first half, while the Hoosiers applied pressure.

In the first half, both teams shot at the goal, but neither goalkeeper could penetrate the net.

Although several shots missed the net, it was sophomore midfielder Kennedy Neighbors who scored the only goal early in the second half against Volunteers goalkeeper Ally Zazzara. After a long throw-in from senior defender Lauren Costello, the ball bounced on the outside of the 15-yard box and Tennessee tried to clear it until it landed at the feet of Neighbors, who fired off a shot. The ball rolled into the net after deflecting off Zazzara’s left hand. The sophomore’s goal was the first of her career in red and cream.

For the rest of the second half, the Hoosiers completely controlled both sides of the ball. Although they didn’t score any more, they continued to put pressure on Tennessee and provided the power that was missing in the first half. Physicality was present throughout the game, and veteran defender Camille Hamm even received a yellow card.

Tennessee took six corner kicks, but the Hoosiers were quick and on the ball first. The defense stayed true to its strong record from last season, allowing just seven shots from the Volunteers, four of which were on goal. The four shots came from two in the first half and two in the second, as the Hoosiers won nearly every 50/50 possession. But when the ball went past them and toward the goal, Gerstenberg was great, making the save to decide the game.

Overall, it was an impressive performance from the entire Hoosiers team, who celebrated their season opener with a 1-0 win.

With the season opener complete, Indiana (1-0) travels 112 miles north to Muncie, Indiana to face Ball State University (1-0) in its first road game of the season. The on-field duel is scheduled for August 20 at 5:30 p.m.