Aug. 17, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS -
Illinois State sophomore Jaclyn Rucinsky gave the Redbirds their first goal of the pre-season, Wednesday, as the Redbirds went on to down Butler, 2-1, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Rucinsky scored her first goal of the pre-season on an assist from freshman Mel Routledge, 21 minutes into the first half.
Minutes later the Bulldogs answered with a goal from Meredith Buemi, with the assist going to Jenny Southard. This goal came at the 25:42 mark, tying the score at 1-1.
Joyce Kleinheinz scored the second goal for Illinois State on a penalty kick with 35 minutes to go in the second half. Illinois State was awarded a penalty kick after a foul was called on Butler's goalie, Annalis Larkin, for knocking down a Redbird after a ball got loose in the box. Kleinheinz took two shots for the `Birds, both were on goal.
Erica Goethel was back in action in the Redbird goal, after being carted off the field Sunday in Sunday's scrimmage with an undisclosed injury. She went on to have three saves in the match, two of which were back-to-back early in the second half.
Injuries hit again, however, with Redbird defender Jaclyn Roepke being replaced just minutes into the game after suffering a cut just above her eye. Carrie Schurr went in to replace Roepke and finished the game for the `Birds.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall was impressed with the play of Goethel and the entire Redbird defense.
"Erica defended the goal really well in the goal for us this afternoon," said Kowall. "The whole team played very well defensively and that was something we were looking to improve upon. Carrie and Sheila (Sarsfield), specifically, played well in the box which was also nice to see."
Butler outshot Illinois State, 12-9, in the pre-season game but also led in fouls, 16-11. Five of the nine Redbird shots were on goal.
Kowall was impressed with the fight in the Butler team.
"They are a good soccer team," Kowall said. "Butler had a couple chances late in the game that were just wide of the goal but they fought all the way to the end. This was a great win for us, though. It was a good way to come back after Sunday's loss. Whenever you can score two goals on the road, against a solid team, it is a good day."
Illinois State will host the Fox Valley Strikers, Saturday, at Adelaide Street Field for the final pre-season scrimmage of the 2005 season. Game time is scheduled for noon.
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