NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's soccer team moved to first place in the Missouri Valley Conference after besting Creighton, 2-1, Sunday at Adelaide Street Field to win five-straight games, while Redbird senior Raquel Rattray was honored as the 2009 Heidecke Tribute Award recipient after the game.
Redbirds Rachel Bostick and Heather Sterling both scored their second goals of the season, while Danielle Mutters recorded two assists on the day. Jessica Carlson and Natalie McCabe led the Redbirds in shots with 6 and 5, respectively.
With the win, the Redbirds remain undefeated at home (4-0-0) and in conference play (2-0-0), going 7-5-1 overall this season. The Bluejays fall to 9-4-1 overall and 2-1-0 in the Valley, while Creighton goalkeeper Alicia Montgomery suffered her third loss this season.
"I think our backs played every well," said head coach Drew Roff. "They read the plays well and defended well. The one time we gave Creighton some space, they scored a goal. I also thought Rattray and Mutters played well. When it comes to big games, those two always seem to step it up. I thought they did a great job. Erin Egolf also held us together in the midfield. A lot of the players had a good game, and we really stepped up as a team." The Redbirds came out strong during the first half, outshooting the Bluejays, 16-5. The Redbirds had plenty of chances for goals in the half with seven shots on goal. The Redbirds finally capitalized with five minutes left in the half as Sterling netted the `Birds first goal of the game off a free kick from Mutters.
ISU's second goal came in the second half from a header by Bostick off another free kick by Mutters, 61 minutes in. Creighton recorded 15 fouls on the game, including two yellow cards.
The Redbirds' defense dominated the second half, allowing just four shots by the Bluejays. Three of the four shots came from Creighton's Brittney Neumann, all within ten minutes as she scored the Bluejays only goal 72 minutes into the game.
Sasha Reiber played all 90 minutes in goal for the Redbirds, recording four saves and her fourth win of the season.
With the win, Illinois State leads the all-time series against Creighton, 10-5-3, while Creighton is 1-6-0 playing at Normal.
After Sunday's game, Rattray was presented with the 2009 Heidecke Tribute Award in honor of former Redbird Julie Heidecke. Heidecke was a Redbird soccer player who died in an automobile accident in 1998. Former Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall, the Julie Heidecke Foundation and Redbird Athletics established an award in her memory that year. Athletes and fans entering Adelaide Street Field pass the Julie Heidecke Tribute Tree, planted in her honor in the fall of 1998.
The Heidecke Award is presented annually to a player who follows Heidecke's path in commitment, spirit, determination, leadership, sportsmanship, academics, morality and concern for others.
The Redbirds will continue conference play Wednesday (Oct. 14) as they travel to Northern Iowa. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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