Ty Winkelhake knocked in the game-winning goal with 15 seconds remaining in regulation as the Illinois State soccer team closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin Friday at Adelaide Street Field.
A Wisconsin (4-11-3) foul with 20 seconds left in the game set up a Robyn Brady free kick. Bradys pass found Annie Wayland in the box who flicked it to an open Winkelhake for the game-winner.
It was a great combination for us, Winkelhake said. Annie was able to hold off her defender and flick it back to me and I had a clear shot. This is a big win against good competition. It basically came down to who wanted it more.
After seven acrobatic saves early in the game by Redbird goalkeeper Lynley Hilligoss, Wisconsin broke into the scoring column first on a Jenny Kundert goal with 24 seconds left before halftime.
They (Wisconsin) had two or three really good chances in the first 35 to 40 minutes of the first half, head coach Pete Kowall said. The goal before halftime was a little disappointing.
Wisconsin maintained the 1-0 lead until the 74:10 mark when Chrystal Johnston passed the ball from the left wing to Wayland in the box. Wayland fired a shot past a diving Badger keeper for her 16th goal of the season.
A little more than 15 minutes later, Waylands assist on the Winkelhake goal moved Waylands career points total to 106, tying Evansvilles Krissy Meek for the Missouri Valley Conference record for points in a career.
Weve had to come back from some deficits this year and I think that was helpful, Kowall said. We moved some people around in the back. I think we need to be a little bit deeper back there and I think we accomplished that today. This certainly helps us springboard into the league tournament.
The Redbirds (13-4 and 6-0 in the Valley) have the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the IronKids Bread/MVC Soccer Championships. The Birds face the winner of Sundays play-in game between Drury and Southwest Missouri State next Friday at 5 p.m. at Sportport in Maryland Heights, Mo.
