By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – The Illinois State soccer team (6-5-1) dominated both offensively and defensively on Sunday afternoon in their win over the IUPUI Jaguars (6-4-1).
As they celebrated Senior Day and held on through a weather delay, the Redbirds controlled the game from start to finish.
“I thought we did very well today,” head coach Eric Golz said. “There were a lot of variables that we had to deal with. I thought the players did a very good job of getting off to a great start, going up 3-0 in the first half is a great way to start the match. I thought we got a little bit too relaxed when we conceded the goal and after the rain delay but we came out strong the second half and were able to complete the performance.”
ISU opened the match strong with a goal in the 6th minute by freshman Mikayla Unger. Senior Lauren Koehl got the ball midfield and sent the through pass to Unger, who was able to draw the goalkeeper out and pass her for the open shot on goal.
Koehl followed suit 10 minutes later with her 6th goal of the season, extending the Redbirds’ lead to 2-0. Sophomore Kiley Czerwinski connected with Koehl off a cross, allowing her to lure the keeper off the line for an open shot.
Unger continued the momentum in the 28th minute with her second goal of the match, dribbling down the field to the near post, again forcing the keeper off the line for a cross goal to the far post, giving the Redbirds the 3-0 lead.
IUPUI quickly answered in the 29th minute with a goal from outside the 18 by junior Catherine Raster, closing ISU’s lead to 3-1. The goal was quickly followed by a weather delay with 11:23 left to play in the first half.
After the weather delay, the Redbirds returned to finish the first half. The ISU defense did not let anything slide as they assisted freshman keeper Haley Smith in blocking a series of shots.
The second half started the same as the first, with ISU not hesitating to take it all the way. Koehl got her 7th goal of the season and second goal of the match with a header off a cross from Czerwinski.
“We are getting smarter in our possession, we are creating some legitimately dangerous chances and we are doing a much better job of finishing those chances. I think the execution is better, I think the confidence is growing and I think with that, typically comes results,” Golz said.
The Redbirds return to action on the road Saturday in Chicago to take on Chicago State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. in the Windy City.
