By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – The Illinois State soccer team dropped an intense 1-0 match to in-state rival, Illinois, Sunday night at Adelaide Street Field.
The Redbirds went to the half with the Illini scoreless, but Reagan Robishaw’s goal 60th minute goal proved to be the difference.
The story of the game was in the number of close calls each team had. In the first half, shots were tied 8-8. The Redbirds had plenty of good looks inside the box with multiple shots missing just wide. The climax of the half came when an Illini defender made a save on the goal line.
The Illini knocked on the door several times as well, missing shots just wide from close range.
ISU started the second half strong, ripping two shots minutes in, but were denied both times. Just over 10 minutes later, Jannelle Flaws sent a long ball to the top of the 18-yard box. Robishaw and Abby Van Deventer were in a foot race to the ball, which Robishaw ultimately won. She pushed a shot past Vanessa Niestrom to give Illinois a 1-0 advantage.
Late in the match the Redbirds threatened again, but could get nothing by Illinois keeper Claire Wheatley. The Illini held a 12-10 advantage in shots, but ISU held the advantage in shots on goal 4-2.
Illinois took five corner kicks compared to Illinois State’s zero.
The loss drops the Redbirds to 0-2-0 on the season while Illinois advances to 2-0-0.
The Redbirds will look for their first win of the season Friday versus Milwaukee at Adelaide Street Field.
