With just over two minutes remaining in regulation play, freshman Tiffany DeClark scored her second goal of the season and lifted the Illinois State soccer team past Valley foe Southwest Missouri State, Friday, at Adelaide Street Field.
When the goalie was rushing out of the box after the ball, I just knew I had to stay composed and get to it before her, DeClark said after the match. When I got there, I did what felt natural and stepped up and got the goal. It was definitely a goal for the team and I give credit to them for getting me the scoring opportunity.
ISU notched its second MVC victory (2-1) with the win over SMS and improve to 9-3-0 overall. The Bears fall to 7-8-1 and suffer its first conference loss of 2000 (2-1). The win for Illinois State keeps them in the running for regular-season conference championship honors, something the team has captured the past two years.
Stacey Smolarczyk got the Bears on the board first, with a quick dribble past the Redbird defense at the 13:19 mark in the first half. ISU could not get its offense together as it went into the halftime break down 1-0.
When the Redbirds returned for the second 45 minutes of play, their passes became more consistent and they kept the ball on the ground resulting in two consecutive goals. Sophomore Chrystal Johnston tied the game at 68:24 when she beat the Bear defense and dribbled the ball to the right-side goal corner.
With the game tied and less than three minutes remaining, sophomore Annie Wayland gained control of the ball in midfield and shot a pass to DeClark, who went one-on-one with Jennifer Grocki, the SMS goalie. A swift move to the right around the keeper gave DeClark the open-net shot and the game-winning goal.
Head Coach Pete Kowall said he asked his team to step up at the half and was proud of their performance in the second period.
We got behind in the first, which we have consistently done this year. We were not getting to the ball, the players were putting pressure on themselves and we just were not getting the job done, Kowall said. So we asked them to step up their game and play the way they know how and they came out strong in the second and did what we asked.
Tiffanys goal was exciting because she has been a key defensive player for us, but we put her up front and her speed and ability came through today, Kowall added. Both her and Chrystal played a really physical game and kept their feet to the ball and got it in the net.
The Redbirds return to action at home on Sunday, Oct. 15. The noon game features MVC opponent Drury at Adelaide Street Field.
