The Indiana University–Indianapolis Jaguars women's soccer team will open its 2026 schedule on Sunday, August 23, when they welcome Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to the campus field at 1:00 p.m. Central Time.
SIUE arrives with an unbeaten start to the season, sitting at 2‑0‑1 and outscoring opponents 7‑3 after victories over Alabama A&M and Austin Peay and a draw with Valparaiso. The Cougars have already recorded two goals from Claire Nieroda and two from Carson Bohnenstiehl, while goalkeeper Sarah Bozeman maintains a 1.00 goals‑against average and an .824 save percentage.
The Jaguars, by contrast, have endured two straight road defeats, losing 2‑0 at Ball State and 5‑1 at Louisville. However, the Louisville match revealed a late surge, with Keilah Muldrow striking for the team's first goal of the season after a 45‑minute stretch of improvement.
Key contributors
Muldrow's goal was set up by assists from Annaliese Black and Bethany Hartigan, while sophomore forward Isabel Oferosky made eight saves in the second half against Louisville, preserving a clean sheet after the team had trailed 5‑0. Sophomore goalkeeper Oferosky finished the game with a 1.00 goals‑against average and an .824 save percentage.
The upcoming clash caps a home‑and‑home series that began with a 2‑1 SIUE victory in Indianapolis on August 14. In that earlier meeting Avery Bangert's 71st‑minute equaliser forced a tense finish, and the Jaguars will be eager to reverse the result on their own turf.
Both programs enter the contest with notable preseason rankings; the Jaguars were slotted eighth in the Horizon League poll, while SIUE's early offensive output has already placed them among the league's most potent attacks.
Returning starters such as Lindsey Castillo, Caroline Kelley, Lilly Ma, Shannon Phillips, Katie Hoog and Hannah Roberson will look to provide stability as the team seeks its first win over the Cougars. Their experience could prove decisive in a match that may set the tone for the remainder of the season.
The Jaguars will next host Chicago State on August 30 at 1:00 p.m., a game that will be streamed live on ESPN+. The encounter offers another opportunity for the squad to fine‑tune its tactics before the return leg of the home‑and‑home series later in the year.