BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana and Oregon played to an entertaining 3-3 draw on Sunday afternoon in front of 482 fans at Bill Armstrong Stadium, with both teams showing resilience in a back-and-forth contest.
The scoring opened early when Sarah Sirdah tested the Oregon defense with a shot in the 3rd minute. Indiana's Bella Haggerty followed with a dangerous attempt in the 6th minute, setting the tone for an offensive showcase. The teams traded goals throughout, with Maggie Ledwith hitting the woodwork in the 22nd minute in what could have been a decisive moment.
The first half saw Indiana control much of the possession, outshooting Oregon 8-5. Carys Hall received a yellow card in the 36th minute for unsporting behavior, but Oregon's defense held firm despite sustained pressure. Abella Hunter and Taylor Bryan both registered blocked shots for Oregon, while Sarah Sirdah continued to threaten for Indiana with multiple attempts on goal.
The second half brought increased intensity as both teams made tactical adjustments. Oregon's Lauren Kenny forced a save in the 54th minute, while Indiana's Olivia Rush had two late attempts in the 79th and 83rd minutes as both teams pushed for a winner. Multiple substitutions by both coaches, including the removal of key players like Maggie Ledwith and Kennedy Neighbors, showed the tactical chess match playing out.
Final statistics reflected the even nature of the contest, with Indiana recording 16 shots to Oregon's 15. The Hoosiers held an advantage in corner kicks (8-2), while Oregon made three saves to Indiana's two. The single yellow card to Hall remained the only disciplinary action in an otherwise cleanly played match.
Individually, Maggie Ledwith stood out for Indiana with multiple dangerous attempts, including her woodwork strike. Oregon's defensive unit, led by Carys Hall despite her yellow card, showed resilience under pressure. Abella Hunter created several opportunities for the Ducks, while Olivia Rush's late efforts nearly won it for Indiana.
Tactically, Indiana's approach focused on wing play and utilizing their advantage in corner kicks, while Oregon found success through quick counterattacks and organized defensive structure. Both teams demonstrated tactical flexibility, with their respective coaches using all available substitutions to maintain intensity throughout the 90 minutes.
The draw moves Indiana to 3-4-4 on the season, extending their unbeaten streak to two matches following their previous tie against Washington. Oregon's record stands at 2-7-3, with this result providing a positive road point after their recent loss to Purdue.
Looking ahead, Indiana faces a quick turnaround with an away match at Purdue on October 3rd at 7:00 PM, while Oregon returns home to host Southern California on the same date at 4:00 PM. Both teams will look to build on the offensive confidence gained from this high-scoring draw.
The match showcased both teams' ability to create chances and respond to adversity, with neither side willing to settle for defeat. The six-goal thriller provided entertainment for the crowd and valuable lessons for both programs as they head into their upcoming conference matches.