Aug. 16, 2009
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Redbird sophomore Jessica Carlson netted her first collegiate hat trick as the Illinois State women's soccer team bested IUPUI, 4-1, at home to end its exhibition season Sunday at Adelaide Street Field. Carlson led the Redbirds with three goals on six shots for six points.
Carlson's first goal came off an assist from Afton Delvecchio 17 minutes into the game, while Carlson's last two goals came in the second half, only two minutes apart. Carlson scored on a penalty kick after Redbird freshman Kelly Rosenthal drew the penalty for being tripped by the goalie 56 minutes into the game. Two minutes later, Carlson scored her final goal off a cross from Rosenthal to put the Redbirds up 4-1.
"It was great to see Carlson step up in this game," said head coach Drew Roff. "It is too bad it was an exhibition game. I also think some of the younger players did well today too. Erin Egolf and Bethany Brown played very solid games, while Rosenthal scored our first goal and drew a penalty kick for us. I think we have only drawn one penalty kick in my first two seasons. So, it was nice to see her use her speed and get behind the defense. The goalkeeper had to make a play and got part of Rosenthal in the process."
Rosenthal led the Redbird newcomers in points with one assist and one goal, after scoring Illinois State's first goal after nine minutes of play.
After the goal by Rosenthal, IUPUI tied the game at one in the first half by a goal from Stephanie Hoffman off an assist from Anna Pigg. However, the Jaguars would not score the rest of the game. The Summit League Newcomer of the Year, Alicia Brock, only recorded two shots with no points.
Senior Katie Grill-Donovan and sophomore Sasha Reiber split time as goalie for the Redbirds. Grill-Donovan played the first half, recording one save and one goal allowed. Reiber came into the game at halftime and recorded no goals allowed and no saves.
"I think exhibition games like this one are so important," said Roff. "This time of year, everyone is excited and they want to get on the field and show what they can do. It is a competitive environment on the team. We have a lot of good players. So, it will be tough to pick our top 16 or 17 players and starting 11 players. This game gave us a chance to look at different players and see where they fit in on different parts on the field."
The Redbirds begin their regular season Friday Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. in Champaign, Ill., as they compete against the Illini for the first time in five years.
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