BLOOMINGTON, Ind.  – The Indiana women’s soccer team continued to play stellar defense and found a way to finish one of a number of good scoring opportunities to pick up the 1-0 win against Minnesota at Bill Armstrong Stadium. It is the first Big Ten opener that Indiana (8-0-1, 1-0 Big Ten) has won since the 2007 season while freshman Veronica Ellis scored the game-winner for the Hoosiers.

“I think we did a good job of staying focused on what we were trying to accomplish in this game,” said Indiana head coach Amy Berbary. “We go into every game with a gameplan and we executed it well today.”

The 8-0-1 start to the year continues to set a new program record and the win also improves IU to 6-0 at home this season. It also marks the seventh shutout of the season for Shannon Flower, just one off the single-season Indiana record.

Indiana controlled play for most of the first half and had the best scoring chances of either team. Abby Smith’s shot early in the half appeared to be headed into the upper 90 but Minnesota goal keeper Tarah Hobbs made the diving save. Rebecca Candler also used her speed up front to create a number of good scoring chances but could not find the back of the goal.

Candler continued to cause havoc for the Minnesota defenders in the second half, but it would be Ellis that stole the spotlight. She was inserted into the lineup in the 67^th minute and just two minutes later she was in on goal 1-v-1 with Tubbs, and was able to finish inside the far post for her first goal of the season.

“Our finishing was a little off today but at least we were getting in on goal and getting the chances. For Veronica to get that goal just over two minutes after coming into the game was huge. We couldn’t ask for anything more, that is big time. For her to be composed in front of the goal and bury it was outstanding.”

After taking the lead, it was up to the Indiana defense to hold the lead, just as they have throughout the season. And they did it once again on Saturday. The Hoosiers held Missouri to 11 shots in the game, and only two of those were on goal.

For the game, Indiana held a 17-11 edge in shots, with nine of the 17 being on goal. The teams were even with six corner kicks apiece.

Indiana continues Big Ten play on Thursday when they travel to Ohio State for a 3 p.m. ET kickoff against the Buckeyes live on the Big Ten Network (Check local listings).

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