Shepherd blisters one side netting to lift HU past IU East 1-0

HUNTINGTON, Ind.  – The HU women's soccer team picked up their fourth win of the year Thursday night by topping IU East 1-0 at King Stadium. With this W, the Foresters improve to 4-2-1 on the year. The victory also avenges last year's 2-1 loss to the Red Wolves.

Huntington's game-winner came at the foot of freshman Sophie Shepherd with 22 minutes remaining. It was a highlight reel moment when she tracked down a clear from Paige Weiss at midfield, shook a defender and then calmly buried a shot from just outside the box that blistered side netting far post. It's her fourth goal of the season, her second game-winner.  

While Shepherd's blast was the talk of the contest, at the other end of the field Ireland Aerni made a play that was equally impressive. With just under nine minutes remaining, the junior keeper blocked Amyah Thacker's shot from point blank range to deny the equalizer. Aerni finished with two saves on the night to earn the shutout in net.

As a team, HU posted six shots on the evening, all of which were on target. IUK finished with five shots. 

The Foresters have the weekend off before hitting the road to Saint Mary's on Wednesday.

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 154 NAIA All-America honors and 501 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.