INDIANAPOLIS – After having over a week between games, the UIndy women's soccer team returned to action Sunday afternoon with their home opener against longtime GLVC foe Bellarmine. The Knights came into today's game ranked No. 21 in the nation by voting coaches. Much like last year's contest between the Hounds and Knights, extra time was needed Sunday afternoon until the hounds pulled off the 2-1 upset over Bellarmine.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bellarmine struck first in the opening half, scoring eight minutes into the game. Despite getting off four shots to the Knights three, the Hounds were unable to put a shot on frame in the first half and went into the half trailing for the first time this season. UIndy came out of the half energized, knowing the game was far from over. Similar to the Knights, it took the Hounds less than 10 minutes into the second half to get on the board. Amanda Meyer took a pass from a Dana Youssef free kick to tie the game at 1-1.
 
UIndy continued to push the ball down the stretch, missing a few opportunities to find the back of the net. The Knights got the ball back on their side of the field late but UIndy kept them from scoring with some outstanding play in goal by freshman goalkeeper Sophia Saucerman. In the overtime period, UIndy controlled possession early on, earning a corner kick in the 94th minute to pressure the Knights defense. Freshman Alexi Hardie stepped up to take the corner for the Hounds, bending the ball into the back of the net for the 2-1 victory over #21 Bellarmine.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-Freshman goalkeeper Sophia Saucerman was kept busy compared to the team's previous two games. The freshman from Indianapolis recorded a career-high five saves on the day after seeing 14 shots on the day.
-UIndy's 3-0 start is their best start under Coach Cox and their best since the 2009 season when they started 6-0.
-The odds of a corner kick goal, better known as an Olimpico goal, are 1-in-19,000.

HOUND BYTES
Coach Cox on her team's upset win, "so proud of our ladies today. The work rate and effort was fantastic, they executed out game plan like we wanted them to as well. I have so much respect for Bellarmine, Chris [Tinius] is a fantastic coach and they always play good quality soccer. We trained this week in preparation for Bellarmine and had a game plan of how we wanted to play against them. We had two quality goals, [Amannda] Meyer's goal was fantastic coming off an excellent assist from Dana [Youssef] on the free kick. Alexi Hardie stepping up as a freshman to finish a game off in overtime was exciting as well. It is always fun to win and win in overtime on a golden goal, but now we have to start prepping for Southern Indiana and McKendree this weekend."
 
Freshman Alexi Hardie on the game and her first goal as a Greyhound, "I thought each and every one of us played our hardest for the whole 94 minutes. Whether it was those on the bench or on the field, every player had a big part in today's win. We are all excited for what's ahead this season because this is only the beginning."

 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds take their 3-0 record on the road next weekend, taking on Southern Indiana first on Friday evening at 6 pm ET.