Cougars face Cougars at Municipal Stadium for 3-2 home win

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The women’s soccer teams for Indiana University Kokomo and University of Cincinnati-Clermont battled on Sept. 16 as if naming rights were on the line. Both teams embrace the cougar as their mascot, but on this night the Kokomo locals proved to be the better big cats.

IU Kokomo prevailed in the contest’s 72nd minute as forward Kaiya Money buried the ball in UCC’s net for the go-ahead goal. She was assisted on the play by midfielder Kaiya Bogers.

The score capped a night that appeared to be slipping away from the home team. IU Kokomo led 2-0 at the end of the first half, thanks a physical early score by forward Avery Wilson, who dropped the UCC goalie to the turf before firing a successful shot on goal.

Money followed with a goal roughly 15 minutes later, but UCC wasn’t going down without a fight. The visitors found net twice in the second half to tie the match and ratchet up the intensity.

The second score past IU Kokomo senior goalie Kailee Moore prompted a spirited huddle by the net minder in which she delivered a heated motivational speech. Her teammates responded with intensity, resulting in the winning goal.

Money, a Tipton native, leads the hometown Cougars in goals and shots on goal this season. Her fourth goal in this match was followed on Sept. 24 with another score on the road against Kentucky Christian. Bogers and Wilson also scored in that contest to push IU Kokomo to another win.

With a record of 5-3-2, the IU Kokomo Cougars are undefeated in the River States Conference. They next travel to the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) (2-2-4) on Sat., Sept. 27, before returning home on Thu., Oct. 2, for a match against Oakland City University (5-2-1).

See additional photos from this match, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.