NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's soccer team opened their preseason slate with a 1-0 loss to visiting Valparaiso on Tuesday evening at Adelaide Street Field.
Hailey Chmela scored the only goal of the contest in the 76th minute, connecting on a 15-yard strike that sailed over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Mara Kremenovic and into the upper-left corner of the goal.
The Redbirds appeared to have scored the equalizer when Rachel Bostick collected a rebound and put it into the back of the net just minutes later, but the goal was waived off due to a Redbird foul.
"I thought our newcomers in the backfield and in goal played very well for us tonight. We didn't get the kind of offensive that we wanted, but is a long season and this is the first of many games this season," head coach Drew Roff said. "Our goal is to get everything worked out by August 20 when we open regular-season play."
Junior Jessica Carlson and freshman Anna Stinson led the Redbird offensive with two shots each, while junior Afton Delvecchio, sophomore Rachel Bostick, and freshman Hillary Scott combined for ISU's three shots on goal.
Illinois State will be back in action on Saturday, August 14, when they travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to take on IUPUI at Kuntz Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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