FORT WAYNE, Ind. - After suffering a 2-1 loss at Eastern Michigan just 24 hours prior, the Illinois State women's soccer team turned the tide, defeating IPFW, 4-0, in Fort Wayne, Indiana Saturday afternoon. Jaclyn Rucinsky led the `Birds in the shutout, scoring a pair of second-half goals in a 13-minute span. Meghan Boler, who was credited with an assist on the final Rucinsky goal, moves into a tie for first place in the Redbird record books for career assists with 12.
Illinois State split on the weekend, while improving to 3-3-2 on the year. IPFW falls to 2-5-0 for the season.
"We took advantage of our chances today, and finished on some very good scoring opportunities," said head coach Pete Kowall. "It was a total team effort, and it was good to see us play more aggressive on the offensive end."
Taking a hold of the game from the start, the Redbirds got on the board first. Freshman Ammanda Wisniewski chipped a shot over IPFW keeper Shannon Lynn from 18 yards out, giving ISU an early lead at the 28:35 mark in the first half. It was Wisniewski's fourth goal on the year, as she leads the team with eight total points. Fellow freshman Shannon Eccleston was credited with the assist, her first offensive statistic as a Redbird.
Illinois State out-shot the Mastodons 6-4 in the first period, but only took a single corner kick. The Redbirds would end the game with a 19-7 shot advantage, as well as leading in corner kicks 9-1. Illinois State held a one-goal lead at the intermission.
Just eight minutes into the second half, Rucinsky netted her first goal of the game. Beating Lynn on the right, her shot from 15 yards out was assisted by sophomore Sheila Sarsfield. It was Sarsfield's first assist of her Redbird career.
Mel Routledge was the next to score for ISU, as the Redbirds' 2005 leading scorer took a shot from the top of the shelf. Her goal was unassisted and found the net from 25 yards out at the 63:47 mark.
Just over two minutes later, Rucinsky sealed the Illinois State win with her second goal of the game. Boler crossed to Rucinsky, who took a shot from two yards out, putting the ball past Lynn for the `Birds fourth goal of the game. The goal was the third of the year for Rucinsky, and the ninth of her Redbird career. Boler's assist, her fourth on the year, was the 12th of her career, as the senior co-captain now shares first place with Michelle Brumbaugh in the Illinois State record books.
"We had some really good service to Jaclyn today, and she was opportunistic around the goal," Kowall said. "Her first goal was off a great pass by Shelia [Sarsfield], and the second one, she just made a great play."
Illinois State goalkeeper Erica Goethel, who notched 75:23 minutes of play for the `Birds, recorded the ISU win. Goethel also tabbed four saves. Freshman goalie Katie Grill-Donovan came in for her first appearance in the Redbird goal, recording 14:37 minutes played and a single save.
The `Birds return to Adelaide Street Field on Friday, Sept. 22, for a 4 p.m. match against Saint Louis.
