Oct. 23, 2005
Box Score
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -
Ending the Valley regular season in shut-out fashion, the Illinois State women's soccer team recorded four goals on Sunday, defeating Northern Iowa and clinching the fourth-place spot in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Illinois State improves to 7-6-3 on the year, 3-2-1 in the Valley, while Northern Iowa fell to 1-16 overall, 0-6 in the MVC.
The Redbirds dominated from the start, controlling both the ball and the game's tempo. Illinois State's balanced attack saw two goals in each half, and all four were scored by a different ISU player.
Sophomore Bethany Russ was the first `Bird to score, as she found the back of the net in the 12th minute on an assist from freshman Mel Routledge. Russ' goal was scored on UNI keeper Heidi O'Mara from ten yards out.
Routledge continued her aggressive ways as she took a Yvonne Northover pass, booting her seventh goal of the season at the 28:35 mark. Routledge's goal was scored on a one-on-one attack from 20 yards out with her shot deflecting off O'Mara's hands, hitting the back of the net. Her goal was the seventh of her Redbird career, as she leads the team in points with 18.
Illinois State led in shots at the half 9-8 but trailed in corner kicks, 2-4.
Redbird seniors Joyce Kleinheinz and Heather Forsyth took the scoring into their own hands in the second half, as the duo hooked up for Illinois State's third score. Kleinheinz found Forsyth in front of the goal, as Forsyth netted her sixth goal of the season. It was Kleinheinz's fourth assist on the year.
Still not satisfied with three goals in the final MVC matchup of the year, Illinois State junior Amanda Lauber scored the Redbird's fourth and final goal in distinctive fashion. Lauber lined up for a corner kick from the far corner and hooked the ball into the goal being defended by O'Mara. O'Mara would end the day with four saves for the Panthers. This unassisted goal was the first of Lauber's career.
The `Birds ended the game with 17 shots, compared to Northern Iowa's 13. Illinois State also led in corner kicks at game's end, 7-5.
Illinois State goalkeeper Andrea Shaw tallied five saves on the afternoon, notching the Redbird win and improving to 6-3-1 on the year. Sophomore goalie Erica Goethel also saw action in the second period for the `Birds, recording one save in 14 minutes.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall was impressed with the way his team came back from the devastating loss to Indiana State on Friday to win their final Valley regular-season game.
"We played well today," said Kowall, whose team secured the fourth-place spot in the Valley and a home MVC play-in game with the victory. "We played well in the back from the goalie to the defense and had a definite presence back there. The early goals helped us to gain confidence, as well. It was a great group effort this afternoon. I'm proud of this team."
"We're looking forward to having a home game," Kowall continued. "We have a week to prepare for Indiana State and we're anticipating a good match at home against them."
Illinois State will travel to Eastern Illinois on Thursday to play their final regular season game of the season against the Panthers. The two teams will square off at 2 p.m. at Lantz Arena.
The Redbirds will then return to defend their home field, with the hopes of advancing to the finals of the State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Illinois State will host Indiana State at noon on Sunday, October 30, with the winner advancing the tournament finals in Omaha, Neb.
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