Sept. 2, 2005
MUNCIE, Ind. -
Illinois State forward Mel Routledge continued to make a statement Friday afternoon, as the freshman scored the lone goal for the Redbird soccer team in a 1-0 victory over Ball State in Muncie, Ind. The `Birds improve to 2-0-1, while handing the Cardinals the first loss of their season (2-1).
Routledge found the back of the net just 31 minutes into the first half, scoring on Ball State keeper Alison Becker. Redbird sophomore Bethany Russ was credited with the assist. This was Routledge's third goal of the season, as the freshman scored two goals in the Redbird's August 28 win over UW-Green Bay. Routledge would finish the game with two shots, both of which were on goal. She now leads the team in shots with 11 and points (6).
The winning goal proved to be the lone goal of the match as Ball State could not convert on an attempt to rally back in the second period. Illinois State's stifling defense held the Cardinals scoreless, although Ball State led the `Birds in shots, tallying 10 of their 15 in the second period. Illinois State was averaging 17 shots per game going into Friday's contest, but was held to just nine against Ball State.
The Redbirds saw the return of goalkeeper Andrea Shaw. Shaw had been sidelined since the beginning of the season with a shoulder injury but came back Friday to defend the Illinois State goal in the first period. Sophomore goalkeeper Erica Goethel took over keeper duties in the second half. Shaw recorded one save to Goethel's two.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall was pleased with the outcome of the match.
"Ball state was a good, solid team," said Kowall. "It really says something about our program for us to beat a team like that on the road...it is a great accomplishment. We made it hard for them to score, although they had several opportunities. I thought we should have scored a second goal in the game but we did what we needed to do to pull away with a win."
The Redbirds continue on the road Sunday, traveling to Saint Louis for a 1 p.m. game against the Billikens at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
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