Box Score The IU Columbus women's soccer team faced a tough challenge against St. Francis (IL) on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, ultimately falling 3-1 in a hard-fought match at home. The loss dropped IU Columbus to a 2-2 record on the season.
 
St. Francis came out strong, with Ariadne Gonzalez finding the back of the net just 3:51 into the game, assisted by Mia Ocana. Gonzalez struck again at the 28:16 mark, converting a penalty kick to give the visitors a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
 
Despite the deficit, IU Columbus showed resilience in the second half, creating more offensive opportunities. The team managed to put up 4 shots in the second period, compared to just 1 in the first. However, St. Francis extended their lead in the 67th minute when Zoe Villont scored off another assist from Ocana.
 
The home team's efforts finally paid off in the 71st minute when Hannah Grimes broke through St. Francis's defense to score an unassisted goal, bringing the score to 3-1. Grimes's goal energized the team and the home crowd, but despite their best efforts, IU Columbus couldn't close the gap further.
 
Goalkeeper Mallory Gilley had a busy day between the posts, facing a barrage of 31 shots from St. Francis, 20 of which were on goal. Gilley made an impressive 17 saves throughout the match, keeping her team in contention despite the constant pressure.
 
The match saw some physical play, with IU Columbus committing 13 fouls to St. Francis's 10. In the 46th minute, IU Columbus's Isabel Diaz received a yellow card, adding to the team's challenges.
 
While the loss was disappointing, IU Columbus showed flashes of potential, particularly in the second half. The team will look to bounce back in their next match, focusing on tightening up their defense and creating more scoring opportunities. With the bulk of their conference schedule still ahead, IU Columbus has time to regroup and build on the positives from this hard-fought contest.