Oct. 7, 2005
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Early and often was the scoring strategy used by the Illinois State women's soccer team Friday afternoon as the Redbirds picked up their first Valley win of the season, defeating Creighton 3-1 at Adelaide Street Field. The `Birds are now 5-5-2, 1-1 in league play.
Senior Joyce Kleinheinz was the first Illinois State player to score, finding the net with a header off a Meghan Boler corner kick. Kleinheinz's goal was scored just 4:51 into the game, giving the Redbirds an early 1-0 lead.
Creighton answered, knotting the score, 1-1 at the 12:11 mark. Midfielder Emily Munn scored on a cross from 10 yards out. Sam Russell was credited with the Bluejay assist.
Tied at halftime, Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall understood that the conference battle had only just begun but was pleased with his team's desire in the first half.
"We wanted to come out with some enthusiasm and some passion to regain some of the history of our program," said Kowall. "I think we did that today. We wanted to come out fighting hard and when they scored the equalizer I don't think anyone on our team felt like the game was over."
Illinois State had only just begun their scoring attack, as the second period would see two Redbird goals. The first came after Yvonne Northover crossed a Creighton defender, firing the ball to Bethany Russ who shot the ball into the net from eight yards out in the 53rd minute. This was Russ' second goal of the year.
Freshman Rachel Lee recorded her first goal as a Redbird, the third and final of the afternoon, after a mistake was made by the Creighton defense. Bluejay senior Ivonne Valentin kicked the ball back to Creighton goalkeeper Kristen Casey, who illegally picked up the ball and was called for a foul. This error set up a Redbird free kick taken by Kleinheinz. Kleinheinz sent the ball to Lee, but the pass deflected off Casey. Lee sent the ball into the back of the net, off the deflection to make the score 3-1.
The second half proved to be a physical battle, though the `Birds were able to keep the pressure on the `Jays, spending most of the period on the offensive side of the ball. Though Illinois State led in fouls 8-6, Creighton saw warning by way of two yellow cards. The Bluejays bench was given a yellow card after arguing a call and junior Chelsea McKenzie was flashed one when she took Amanda Lauber's legs out from under her, as Lauber jumped to head the ball.
The Redbird defense allowed just eight shots as Andrea Shaw recorded the win for the Redbirds, notching six saves on the afternoon. Kowall was especially impressed by the play of the back line.
"Our defense will see us score two or three goals," said Kowall. "That gives them confidence and they start playing well and our team feeds off that, off of one another. Our defense played unbelievable today.
"The win is redemption for what happened last Friday when we lost to Drake," Kowall continued. "We're still in a race for the top spot in the conference. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to win the conference championship and we're still in that race."
Illinois State returns to the field next Friday, October 14 when they travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Missouri State Bears. The `Birds third conference matchup will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Cooper Sports Complex.
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