TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State's 2026 season came to a close Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium as the Sycamores fell 1–0 to Murray State in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Indiana State generated the majority of the attacking opportunities throughout the match, recording nine shots, six shots on goal, and five corner kicks while consistently pressuring the Racers' defense.
Indiana State came out aggressively from the opening minutes and nearly found an early breakthrough when Meagyn Riffle forced a save just moments into the contest. The Sycamores continued to create opportunities throughout the first half, with Quinn Urquhart, Tori Angelo, Avery Oergel, and Peyton Wetzel all generating chances. Indiana State earned multiple corner kicks and spent much of the opening half in the attacking third, but Murray State capitalized on one of its few opportunities, finding the back of the net in the 33rd minute to take a 1–0 lead into halftime.
The Sycamores maintained their pressure after the break. Riffle tested the goalkeeper again early in the second half, while Hailey Morgan, Angelo, and Wetzel each created dangerous opportunities during a sustained stretch of Indiana State attack. Indiana State continued to push numbers forward, earning additional corner kicks and forcing several saves from the Murray State goalkeeper. Defensively, Sofie Hansen made a key stop to keep the match within reach and give the Sycamores an opportunity to find a late equalizer. Despite controlling much of the second-half play and creating several quality chances, Indiana State was unable to find the breakthrough, bringing an end to the 2026 campaign.
While Sunday's result marked the conclusion of the season, the Sycamores enjoyed one of the program's strongest campaigns in recent years. Indiana State finished with an 8-4-7 overall record and earned an MVC Tournament berth after posting a 5-1-3 mark in non-conference play. The Sycamores outscored opponents 36-14, averaged 1.89 goals per game, and held opponents to just 0.74 goals per contest while recording seven shutouts on the season.
Indiana State also collected several signature results throughout the fall, including victories over conference leader Southern Illinois and UNI, while earning valuable draws against Drake, Illinois State, Murray State, and SIUE. The Sycamores consistently competed with the top teams in the Missouri Valley Conference and established themselves as one of the league's toughest defensive units.
The season featured several individual accolades as well. Sofie Hansen and Hailey Morgan earned All-MVC Second Team honors, while freshman Meagyn Riffle was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team. Hansen finished the year with a 0.74 goals-against average, 49 saves, and six solo shutouts, while Riffle led the Sycamores with 40 shots and six assists. Emely Lopez paced the team with 15 points on five goals and five assists, helping lead a balanced attack that featured six players with at least three goals.
How They Scored
33' — Murray State: Addison Howell scored on a right-footed shot to the bottom center of the net, assisted by Reagan Tate. (0–1)
News & Notes
• Meagyn Riffle led Indiana State with four shots, including three shots on goal.
• Peyton Wetzel recorded three shots, with two on target.
• Tori Angelo added three shots during the match, including one on goal.
• Indiana State concluded the season with an 8-4-7 overall record, seven shutouts, and an MVC Tournament quarterfinal appearance.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Soccer, visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and Google Play Store.
