YPSILANTI, Mich. - Down by two goals in the 82nd minute, the Illinois State women's soccer team did not have much time to turn the game around. Junior Bethany Russ netted a late goal to pull the `Birds within one, but Eastern Michigan came away with the win, 2-1, Friday afternoon in Ypsilanti, Mich.
The Redbirds' 2006 record moves to 2-3-2, while the Eagles improve to 3-2-1.
Giving the credit to Eastern Michigan, Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall knew that his team did not take advantage of their opportunities to score goals and ultimately win the game.
"We just continued to struggle to score goals today and you have to score to win," said Kowall. "This is another game where we created decent opportunities to score but we didn't finish those chances. I was a little disappointed in our overall play because we just didn't stay connected and we didn't build off our success last week. I have to give it to Eastern Michigan, though. They took advantage of their opportunities and but the ball in the net. Eastern Michigan was the better team today."
The Eagles wasted no time getting on the board, as sophomore forward Jessica Lathrop took a feed from EMU's Ashley Rodrigues and shot from the left side of the box. Illinois State goalkeeper Erica Goethel couldn't control the shot from the left side, as Eastern Michigan took an early lead 1-0.
ISU's defense allowed only two EMU shots in the first half, with six total on the afternoon, while the `Birds launched 17 shots with seven being on goal. Senior Meghan Boler led Illinois State with four total shots.
The Eagles would strike again late in the second period, on a Carissa Wilson shot from the right side of the box. Wilson's goal, which was directed towards the left goal post, was assisted by Deana Kitner.
Goethel allowed two goals on the day, while tallying just a single save for the Redbirds.
Russ struck at the 84:41 mark, pulling Illinois State within one. The goal, from 10 yards outs in the middle of the box, was the second of the year for the junior. Sophomore transfer Katelyn Prorok was credited with the assist on the goal; this was her first offensive statistic of the 2006 season.
Kowall's team wastes no time returning to action, as the `Birds take on IPFW at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Fort Wayne, Ind.
"I'm not worried about the quick turnaround," said Kowall. "We're deep enough and we're good enough to play two games in two days. We have to defend better and we have to score. Those are the only ways we are going to win."
