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Despite a valiant comeback effort, the IU Columbus women’s soccer team faced a disappointing 3-2 defeat against their River States Conference rival, IU Kokomo, in a hard-fought match on Thursday night, marking the conclusion of their challenging season. The loss finishes IU Columbus’s campaign with a record of 2-12-1 overall and 0-9 in conference play, highlighting the struggles the team encountered throughout the year.
The match started with a bang as the hosts quickly took control. Just 62 seconds into the game, Kelsi Hoot found the back of the net following an impressive assist from Jaidin Millsaps. Hoot’s remarkable performance continued as she scored again in the 25th minute. Addison Waller then extended Kokomo’s lead to a daunting 3-0 just 30 minutes into the match.
Undeterred by the three-goal deficit, IU Columbus displayed immense determination. Freshman midfielder Cyanne St. Bernard initiated the comeback effort by cutting into Kokomo’s lead in the 37th minute, thanks to a well-placed assist from Lily Campbell. Just before halftime, Campbell showcased her skill and resilience by scoring unassisted in the 45th minute, tallying her fourth goal of the season, which lifted the spirits of her teammates.
In a spirited second half, IU Columbus outshot Kokomo 4-2 in shots on goal, demonstrating their offensive drive, but unfortunately, they could not find the elusive equalizer. Goalkeeper Mallory Gilley delivered a commendable performance, making eight crucial saves to keep the game within striking distance, while St. Bernard led the attack with an impressive four shots on goal.
The match was intensely contested, featuring a notable amount of physicality, as evidenced by the five yellow cards issued to players from both teams during the encounter.
Following the season finale, Athletic Director Zach McClellan took a moment to reflect on the challenges the women’s soccer program faced this year, while expressing optimism about its future direction. “We look forward to learning from this year and building towards the future. A special thanks to our seniors, Ana Jackson and Hannah Grimes, for their crucial contributions in helping us build our program. Additionally, we’ve observed significant talent in young players like Cyanne St. Bernard and Mallory Gilley, who have demonstrated they possess the skills necessary to compete at this level, among several others.”
#RollPride
**Interview with Coach Jamie Turner of IU Columbus Women’s Soccer**
**Host:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Turner. It was a tough loss for your team last night against IU Kokomo. Can you share your thoughts on the game?
**Coach Turner:** Absolutely. It was a hard-fought match, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way the team fought back, particularly in the second half. We fell behind early, and while it was disappointing to lose 3-2, there were moments of brilliance and determination from our players.
**Host:** You mentioned the early goals from IU Kokomo. How do you think the quick start affected your team’s morale?
**Coach Turner:** It was definitely a setback. Conceding a goal just a minute into the match can shake a team’s confidence. But I was impressed with how the players regrouped after that. In the second half, we really began pushing forward and creating chances, which is a testament to their resilience.
**Host:** The season has been challenging finishing with a 2-12-1 record. What are some of the key lessons your team will take from this season?
**Coach Turner:** This season taught us a lot about perseverance and working together as a unit. We faced many ups and downs, but each match was an opportunity for growth. Recognizing our weaknesses and areas for improvement is essential as we move into the off-season.
**Host:** Looking ahead, what steps do you plan to take to improve the team’s performance next season?
**Coach Turner:** We need to focus on our training and conditioning, as well as refining our game strategy. Building team chemistry is also critical. I plan to work closely with our returning players and recruit new talent who fit our vision.
**Host:** Coach Turner, thank you for your insights. Best of luck as you prepare for the next season!
**Coach Turner:** Thank you! I appreciate the support. We’re looking forward to the future and are determined to come back stronger.
