It was an emotional day for the Illinois State womens soccer team as the Redbirds faced the reality that the best season-opening record in the programs hstory (7-0) came to a hault, as University of Iowa defeated the Redbirds 1-0, Sunday, at Adelaide Street Field. The Redbirds now have an overall record of 7-1, but are still undefeated in the Valley (1-0).
The Redbirds fell behind in the first half after Iowas Katelyn Quinn scored her fifth goal of season at the 34:09 mark, off an assist from Kitty Montgomery. The Redbirds were never able to recover, as the second half was scoreless for both teams.
Head coach Pete Kowall said the Redbirds went into this game prepared, but that the team just did not get the job done in todays match-up.
We knew they would be good and they have some special players, said Kowall. It was obviously not good that we lost, but it was good for us to play a team of this calibur.
Despite the fact that the team has been plagued by injuries, Kowall made no excuses for todays loss.
You can say that we are tired and that we dont have enough subs, but the truth is that we should have done better, added Kowall. Its a matter of spirit, to play for pride and to play for Illinois State. We not only talk about tactics, but we talk about the tradition of Illinois State soccer that has been built and how we must keep it going.
The emotions continued to run deep after the game as the Illinois State soccer program remembered Julie Heidicke, a former Redbird soccer player who was killed in a car accident in 1998. Kowall conducted the tribute to Heidicke as former player Kelly Mahan was on hand to receive the scholarship award that was made in Heidickes name.
I never knew Julie, but I feel as though I did through the people who knew her best, said Mahan. Julies spirit stays with us and every time we walk on the field as a Redbird we must remember that she is always with us.
The Redbirds will return to Valley conference play as they host two conference games at Adelaide Street Field this coming weekend when they take on Drury on Friday, October 4 at 4 p.m., and Southwest Missouri State on Sunday, October 6 at 12 p.m.
