In the semifinal match of the 2001 IronKids Bread/Missouri Valley Conference Soccer Championship, the top-seeded Illinois State Redbirds fell to fifth-seeded Southwest Missouri State, 2-0, Friday at Sportport.
The two teams battled and were scoreless until Southwest Missouris Lisa Martel found Debbie Stark who punched the ball past Redbird goalkeeper Lynley Hilligoss with seven minutes and 22 seconds left in the first half.
The Bears limited Illinois State to three shots in the first half, but the Birds valiantly tried to make a comeback, firing 12 shots at SMS goalkeeper Alexis Stormo in the second half.
We cant play one half totally different than the other half, head coach Pete Kowall said. I just didnt get the kids ready enough.
At the 66:17 mark, a shot by Stark was deflected by Hilligoss and rebounded by Katie DeCarlo who sent the ball past a diving Hilligoss for the final goal of the game.
As a coach, I havent been able to figure out the puzzle, Kowall said. Weve had good years and we get to this point and were either not motivating the players enough or not subbing enough, and as a coach I take total responsibility.
The Redbirds fall to 13-5 while Southwest Missouri State moves to 10-8-1 and will play the winner of the Evansville vs. Creighton game in the title game Sunday afternoon.
