NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State (3-5-0) played South Florida (3-1-2) into double overtime, but the Bulls produced the game winner four minutes into the final period to beat the Redbirds, 3-2, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools Sunday. Senior Mel Routledge and junior Ammanda Wisniewski both scored goals in the second period. The loss extended ISU's losing streak to five games and gives the `Birds a 2-5 record at the end of their seven-game road trip.
Routledge's goal was her second of the weekend and the season. She continued to climb the Redbird record books, moving into a tie for fourth place in career points (39) and a tie for fifth place in goals (15). Wisniewski scored her second goal of the season and moved into sole possession in career goals at ISU (12).
Junior Raquel Rattray and freshman Jess Carlson both collected assists in the game, their first of the season. Rattray assisted Wisniewski's goal, while Carlson recorded her first-career assist on Routledge's tally. Wisniewski' led the Redbirds with four shots and sophomore Alyssa Schulz had three. ISU outshot USF 12-11 in the game, but the Bulls had a 4-1 shot advantage in the overtime periods.
"We played well and I think we deserved a win," said head coach Drew Roff. "We had some better runs in the second half and overtime, but again, just couldn't find that decisive goal. We gave USF very few good chances to score, but they put them away when they had to. We continue to play our hearts out and play tough. Hopefully, all of this experience against good teams will help us later in the season, especially in conference play."
South Florida took the lead on a goal by Noelle Piniero in the 38th minute. Wisniewski tied the game early in the second period with her first goal in six games. Rattray sent a corner kick into the box and Wisniewski beat a diving Mallori Lofton-Malachi to tie the game at a goal apiece.
USF went back on top in the 54th minute when Chelsea Klotz took a pass Piniero, split two Redbird defenders and scored on a shot to the upper part of the net. The Redbirds came back again in the 69th minute, when Sahm found Routledge on a free kick and the senior knotted the game at two. ISU almost won in the waning seconds, when Schulz put a shot on goal, but Lofton-Malachi made a diving save to preserve the tie.
After a scoreless first overtime, Klotz struck again in the second overtime with the game-winner. Amanda McCormick lofted a pass over the defense to Klotz, who beat a diving ISU junior Katie Grill-Donovan to clinch the win for the Bulls.
The Redbirds return home to face Western Illinois Friday at 4 p.m.
