COLUMBUS, Ohio - Despite a last minute shot-on-goal by Redbird sophomore Jessica Carlson, the Illinois State women's soccer team's run in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship was cut short as it fell to the No. 3 seed Florida, 2-0, in first round play Friday in Columbus, Ohio.
With the loss, the Redbirds end their season with a 12-7-1 overall and 5-1 Missouri Valley Conference record, recording eight shutouts including their 1-0 win over Creighton to win the 2009 MVC Tournament. The win marked only the second tournament championship for the Redbirds to clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We knew we had our work cut out for us in this game," said head coach Drew Roff. "Florida is a very athletic team, but I think our girls did a great job of competing and battling throughout the game. We kept it close for a long time and made it interesting."
Despite being outshot by the Gators 12-2 on the game, the Redbird defense held the Gators to only three shots in the first half. Redbird freshman Rachel Bostick had ISU's best chance for a goal in the first half 25 minutes into the game with a header shot. Florida's goalkeeper Katie Fraine recorded the save and the game remained scoreless at the half.
Florida's two goals came in the second half. Tahnai Annis scored first 57 minutes into the game from eight yards out, while McKenzie Barney scored the Gators's second goal seven minutes later from 15 yards out. Barney led the Gators in points on the game with three after netting a goal and an assist.
ISU's 12 wins tied for the fourth-most wins in the program history. On the season, the Redbirds were third in program history for points in a season at Illinois State with 100 and goals in a season with 38.
MVC Tournament Most Valuable Player, Carlson led the team in points with 27, ranking fourth for points in a season at Illinois State. Carlson also tied for second at Illinois State for career game-winning goals with nine.
The 2009 MVC Defensive Player of the Year, Danielle Mutters, led the Redbird defense this season with three goals and three assists on the goal. On the season, the Redbird defense has recorded eight total shutouts. Redbird goalkeeper Sasha Reiber ended the season going 9-6-1 overall this season with seven shutouts, while Redbird senior Katie Grill-Donovan went 3-0 this season, recording one shutout in the net for the `Birds. Reiber ranks third at Illinois State for career shutouts with 13.
With the win, the Gators advanced to the second round and are 16-5-2 overall this season. Friday's game marked the 13th NCAA appearance for the Gators. Florida made it to the sweet 16 in 2008, but fell to Texas A&M, 2-1.
The last and only other time the Redbirds appeared in the postseason was in 2003, when they lost, 3-1, to Kansas in the first round.
"There is always a hint of sadness at the end of a season," said Roff. "I feel great about what we have accomplished this year. As a coach, all you really care about is if your team reached its potential. I think we did that this year. We got the most out of the season that we could."
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