Sept. 11, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Scoring duties were shared Sunday afternoon as the Illinois State soccer team netted three shots, from three separate Redbirds to defeat Eastern Michigan 3-1, in front of a crowd of 216 at Adelaide Street Field. The `Birds improve to 3-1-1 on the season, while the Eagles fall to 2-4.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall was pleased with the team effort displayed by his players, leading to the team's third win.
"We played almost everyone on our roster today and they all contributed to this win," said Kowall. "It was great to get people some playing time but also to score three goals and come out on top. They were a good team. Eastern Michigan tried to get the ball forward and push the tempo...they were solid competition. "
Illinois State's first goal was scored in a dramatic fashion as Bethany Russ passed from midfield to a wide open Mel Routledge for the first goal of the contest at the 25:18 mark. This goal, scored from 25 yards out on Eastern Michigan goalkeeper Sara Schiffbauer, was Routledge's fourth goal of the season.
The goal from Routledge was the lone goal of the first period, as the teams went into the half with the score at 1-0. Just five minutes into the second period (52:37), however, Eastern Michigan forward Ashley Upton scored for the Eagles, tying the game at 1-1. Upton's unassisted goal was scored on Illinois State keeper Andrea Shaw from six yards out. Shaw played the entire game in the goal for the `Birds and recorded the win over Eastern Michigan.
Just four minutes later (56:39), Redbird sophomore Yvonne Northover found the net for the `Birds. After Schiffbauer saved an earlier shot (56:30) from Shannon Duggan, batting the ball into a mix of players, Northover handled the ball and put it in for a second Illinois State score. This was Northover's first goal of the season, as well as her career.
The scoring continued for the `Birds as Illinois State's Jaclyn Rucinsky scored an unassisted goal from 15 yards out at the 65:05 mark in the second period. Rucinsky's goal was also her first of the 2005 season.
Despite Sunday's winning performance, Kowall believes his team has some adjustments to make in order to prepare for the remaining games.
"We still need to sort some things out as a team defensively," said Kowall. "It was nice to get Jackie (Rucinsky) on track today, scoring a goal, as well as Yvonne. It was great that some different people stepped up and became threats. Now we've got to get things a little more organized. Friday night's game is going to be a big game for us and I'm looking forward to that challenge, as are our players."
That challenge comes in the form of Illinois. The Redbirds travel to Champaign, Ill., Friday for a 7 p.m. duel with the Fighting Illini.
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