In the final game of the conference regular season, the Illinois State womens soccer team got just what they were looking for, a 2-1 win over Northern Iowa. Sophomores Kanisha Campbell and Kim Collins carried the Birds in the second half to pick up the win.
The Panthers, 2-12-2 and 2-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, started the offensive strike in the first half with a goal by Sarah Huffer at 16:34. At the half, the Birds, 8-5-3 and 3-2-2 in the Valley, trailed by a goal, but out shot their opponent 12-3. However the Birds came out ready to score in the second half with Campbell putting in a goal from 35-yards out at 49:21. The ball passed right underneath the crossbar just out of reach of the Panthers goalkeeper. Campbell has scored three goals this season all of which are the only goals in her career as a Redbird.
Ten minutes after Campbells goal, Collins put herself in scoring position off an assist from Lauren Kahlenbeck. Collins goal at 59:12 sealed the game for the Birds. This goal for Collins marks the first of her career in an Illinois State uniform.
The Birds recorded 27 shots in the entire game, which is the most shots they have taken in a game all year. Illinois State allowed the Panthers to take only fours shots in the game, three in the first half and one in the second.
We did well today, said head coach Pete Kowall. We took a ton of shots offensively and defended very well on the other end. We had a young group of girls in the game and Im proud of what they accomplished.
The Birds will be back at home on Sunday October 24 at Adelaide Street Field as they take on Northwestern at noon.
