The Illinois State Redbirds made history tonight as they advanced to the title match of the IronKids/Missouri Valley Conference Womens Soccer Championship for the first time since the tournament moved to a neutral site. This is the first time since 1998 that the team has advanced to the championship game. The championship will be aired live on Fox Sports Net Midwest beginning at 1 p.m.
Illinois State and Evansville were tied at 1-1 after regulation play. The score remained tied after two periods of overtime, and the game was decided on penalty kicks. Each team had five opportunities, and Illinois State won, five kicks to four.
Head coach Pete Kowall was more than pleased with the win.
Winning against Evansville and on this field is like taking two monkeys off our backs, said Kowall. It is great to advance and move one. Now the kids know that we can win on this field.
The first half began slow, but action picked up as senior Annie Wayland scored the first goal of the game off an assist from sophomore Lauren Kahlenbeck with 13:26 left in the first half to take the lead. This was Waylands ninth goal of the season and Kahlenbecks first assist and point of her career.
Illinois State fired at the goal three times, while Evansville attempted five shots. Aces goalkeeper Katie Howard picked up two saves while Redbird keeper Allison Farrington grabbed one.
The Aces came out in the second half fired up with a header goal at the 54:39 mark by Tami Callison off the assist from Tracye Burch. Callisons goal tied the game at 1-1.
Evanvilles midfield was awesome, and we did get lucky on a couple of occasions, Kowall said. We have to play better on Sunday if we want to get the victory.
The Redbirds, 11-4-3 will take on No. 1 seed Creighton on Sunday, November 10 at the Sportport at 1 p.m. The winner of the Valley title will advance to the NCAA College Cup.
