On homecoming weekend, the women’s soccer team faced off against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in a Horizon League match that had impact on the standings and future playoff seeding. In the end, the Golden Grizzlies defeated the Jaguars, 1-0.

Both teams came into the inter conference fixture in the top four of the conference. Both teams had one loss, trailing only the undefeated Milwaukee Panthers, who are 5-0. The Golden Grizzlies improved to 3-1-1 on the season and recorded their second win in a row in dramatic fashion.

Ashley Postma was the hero for the Golden Grizzlies, recording the game-winning goal off of a rebounded penalty kick. The goal for Postma was her first on the season and the first of her collegiate career.

The goal came in the 86th minute after a long match full of shots from each side. The Golden Grizzlies recorded 12 shots to IUPUI’s seven, and recorded eight shots on goal to IUPUI’s two.

“I’m so proud of our team, they put it all together,” Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero told GrizzVision. “We defended so well against such a dangerous team. IUPUI is so good, their record shows that. They’re so attacking minded, and for us to shut them down … I’m proud of that.”

Jaimie Leas led the shutout, saving both shots on goal. This effort led to her being named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 14 for the first time this season. For Leas, this match marked the third shutout of the season for her.

Favero has seen improvement from his entire team, one that struggled in the previous season, going 3-3-3 in conference play and 4-11-4 overall.

“It’s building blocks, everything has been building blocks,” Favero told GrizzVision. “Year one we had to rebuild the culture, year two we had to learn how to be gritty. We’ve been a little disappointed in our early games that we didn’t get the results we wanted. Our record is not where it should be this year, but every game is a hard game at this point.”

The women’s soccer team started off 2-4-1, and since entering conference play have went 3-1-1. Favero was impressed after the game with the team’s ability to be resilient and play with toughness.

“I love my team, I love that they care about each other and that they are there for one another,” Favero told GrizzVision. “Their resiliency is showing to be a key characteristic of ours. We’ll build on this great performance.”

After a whole week off, the Golden Grizzlies will travel to Green Bay to face off against the Phoenix on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.

Four days later, the team kicks off a two game home stand against Northern Kentucky University and the undefeated Panthers. The 1 p.m. match against Milwaukee will be senior day.