Under a cold, gray sky with plenty of support and pooches in attendance, IU took on Xavier Friday night from Armstrong Stadium.

IU – coming into the game at 3-2-1 – took on a Xavier team who entered the game at 3-2 with freshmen goalkeeper and current Atlantic 10 co-rookie of the week winner Katie Markesbery. Markesbery has proved herself as an outstanding stopper for the Musketeers after her 17 save performance last weekend against Ball State and Evansville in 1-0 wins respectively.

The opening minutes of the first half belonged to Orianica Velasquez, who made her presence known with some fine runs in the attacking third, spraying passes out wide which provided width and streams of offense for IU.

This no doubt kept Markesbery and the Xavier defense on their toes

In the 26^th minute, another IU corner produced one of the better opportunities of the first half off of a corner. But, all the play produced was a collision between Markesbery and IU’s Devon Beach.

The players were on the ground for several minutes while being attended to by their medical staffs.

Both players left the game which left Jennifer Perri to fill the box in place of Markesbery for four minutes while she continued getting treatment, with Krista Kellin coming in for Beach, who got a yellow card for her part in the incident.

With the first half coming towards the end, Xavier began coming out of its half and produced some decent attacking phases. But IU’s defensive line, which had been doormat for much of the first half, woke up in time to kill chances before they developed any further.

As IU wasted another corner kick – the ninth of the half – the score stayed 0-0 at the end of the first half

As the second half began, so did the weather as a slight drizzle began. This complimented the team’s first few minutes of the half, which were conveniently spent in the midfield, stretching from side to side.

Xavier did break through though, with what may have been their best chance of the game. Kelsey Phillips latched onto a pass and was bearing down on Shannon Flowers in goal for IU. Phillips last touch though was a bit heavy, giving Flowers plenty of room for a comfortable save on the deck.

IU began putting their passing boots on, going into their longest stretch of possession in the game. This concluded in the 61^th minute, when Becca Zambon sent in a drive from outside the box, which was saved by a standing Markesbery

In the 68^th, another corner for IU – their 11^th of the game at that point – provided them with their best scoring opportunity.

Markesbery climbed higher than anyone else in the box, but dropped the ball while coming down with it. Monica Melink got a foot to the loose ball, but was soundly kicked out for the 12^th corner of the game and danger averted for Xavier.

Markesbery again showed her dominance of the box, as she again came up tops on a shot from Kaylin Clow in the 71^st minute.

Clow was 16 yards in front when she let loose a high one that if it weren’t for Merkesbery’s fingers it would’ve been 1-0 IU. She also showed great toughness in the 74^th when a certain goal barely stayed in front of the line.

Markesbery came out and just nicked the ball from an on rushing Melick securing the ball in her hands and Melick into the net.

With roughly five minutes to go in the game, IU finally was able to exploit Xavier’s high line on defense as Carly Samp received a pass from Lisa Nouanesengsy with her back to goal, turned at the top of the box unleashing a shot that was barely out of Merksbery’s reach, but well within thatof the left post to give IU the lead with her fourth goal of the season.

“I was just glad we didn’t go into overtime. They were putting a lot of pressure on us,” Samp said after the game.  “Their defense was pressing up, so I felt that I could just spin and shot it really quick to get the goal.” 

Mick Lyon, the women’s head coach, seemed pleased with the result, “It was a difficult team to play against, very defensive and organized. They fought hard against Ohio State despite losing 1-0, so we knew we were in for a hard game,” he said of the Xavier team after the game. “With this being our second shutout now, we’re well ahead of goals given up from last year, so we’ve made a lot of strides from last year.”

The win put IU at 4-2-1 as they head into Sundays clash with Marquette at 1pm.

This will be their final non-conference game of the year before they start the Big Ten season against Michigan next Sunday.

(Photo by Lauren Waiz, IU Athletics)