Aug. 11, 2009
Final Stats
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -
Redbird senior Danielle Mutters scored Illinois State's only goal as the ISU women's soccer team tied UW-Milwaukee, 1-1, at Milwaukee, in its first of two exhibition games this season.
The Panthers jumped out early and claimed the game's first goal, a breakaway scored by Lauren Ragalie off a pass from Kate Megna.
"We knew Milwaukee would be a real first test for us as a team," said head coach Drew Roff. "In the first half, we started three freshmen, and I know everyone's a little nervous in their first collegiate game. I think as a whole, we were back on our heels from the start, and Milwaukee was able to maintain possession of the ball. Defensively, we were not pressuring the way we needed to. We struggled in that first half, and we gave up a goal. We definitely had first-game jitters."
After halftime, the Redbirds changed their approach and took charge of the game, scoring the only goal in the second half.
"Our goal was to win the second half," said Roff. "The second half was a night and day difference from the first half. We settled down and competed. Mutters buried a header for a goal off a corner kick from Jessica Carlson. Then, our reserves came in and really lifted us up. We ended the game with a solid result."
Freshman Rachel Bostick and Carlson led ISU in shots with four each, while Mutters, Bethany Brown, Nicole Russell and Afton Delvecchio all recorded one shot apiece. Katie Grill-Donovan and Sasha Reiber split time in goal for Illinois State, both playing 45 minutes. Grill-Donovan recorded two saves and allowed the Panthers only goal.
"Looking toward the future, we have to make sure we play with that intensity the whole 90 minutes instead of just 45," said Roff. "It was a good start, and we saw some things we need to work on and some things we did well. Now, we just need to build on that for the next game."
Illinois State continues its exhibition play at home Sunday against IUPUI at noon at Adelaide Street Field. The Redbirds open their regular season against Illinois at Champaign Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.
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