MACOMB, Ill. – Indiana State opened its 2026 season with a commanding 3–0 victory on the road at Western Illinois on Wednesday afternoon. The Sycamores were sharp from the opening whistle, scoring twice in the first half and adding a third after the break to secure a complete, confident performance away from home.
The Sycamores controlled possession throughout the match, generating steady pressure and creating high-quality chances through movement and tempo. The Sycamores' attack produced 18 shots and 12 on frame, while the defensive unit delivered a composed, organized effort that held Western Illinois scoreless for all 90 minutes. Goalkeeper Sofie Hansen finished with three saves, including a key stop in the 44th minute to preserve the clean sheet.
Indiana State's depth also showed early in the season opener, with multiple contributors impacting the match across the midfield and front line. Meagyn Riffle led the way with three assists, while Alex Lehnert, Quinn Urquhart, and Riley Mathews each found the back of the net to give ISU a balanced scoring spread.
The win sets a strong tone for the fall as the Sycamores begin building momentum in nonconference play.
How They Scored
15' — Indiana State: Alex Lehnert opened the scoring with a composed finish, slotting a low shot to the center of the net off a setup from Meagyn Riffle. (1-0)
22' — Indiana State: Quinn Urquhart doubled the lead with a high-left strike, finishing a well-built sequence assisted by both Meagyn Riffle and Bella Berta. (2-0)
65' — Indiana State: Riley Mathews added insurance in the second half, driving a low-left shot into the net off another assist from Riffle's Free Kick. (3-0)
News & Notes
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Indiana State outshot Western Illinois 18–4 and placed twelve shots on goal.
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Meagyn Riffle recorded three assists, contributing to all three Sycamore goals.
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Sofie Hansen posted a clean sheet with three saves, including stops in the 44th and 61st minutes.
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Lehnert, Urquhart, and Mathews each scored once, giving ISU three different goal scorers in the opener.
- Indiana State's defense held WIU to just three shots on goal across 90 minutes.
Up Next
Indiana State will continue their Regular Season this Sunday, August 16th, facing Western Kentucky at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM ET.
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 the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
