COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Perhaps it wasn't ISU soccer's best match of the season, but they came away with another four goal victory in a 4-0 win against Sam Houston State Friday in College Station, Texas. The match was delayed two hours due to lightning in the area, but once the match finally began, it was clear that ISU would not be denied their third-straight win to open the season.
With the dark clouds still looming overhead, Emily Dickman opened up the scoring in the 27th minute with her second goal of the season. Dickman received a beauty of a pass from Hannah Leinert and put it away with ease. The assist was Leinert's second of the season. The rest of the first half would go scoreless.
ISU opened the second half a bit sluggish as the game's pace slowed and whistles were frequent. Neither team could manufacture a solid opportunity, but that all changed with in the 71st minute. Kelli Zickert pushed a pass between two defenders to Keri Kujawa and Kujawa knocked it home for her first goal of the season. Thirteen minutes later Zickert got one of her own, stealing the ball near midfield and taking it all the way into the penalty box before letting loose a ball that found the back of the net.
With the score 3-0, Kujawa added another goal, a little push past the keeper at the goal line in the 88th minute. ISU's defense protected the shut out all game long and made it an easy day at the office for goalkeeper Aryn Newsom. Newsom only had to make two saves and she was hardly challenged on either of them. ISU outshot Sam Houston State 15-5 and held the advantage in corner kicks, 10-0.
ISU spread the ball around as no player had more than two shots. The Redbirds were also fairly accurate, putting seven of their shots on goal. ISU has not allowed an opponent to take more than nine shots this season.
Still, head coach Drew Roff insisted his team will have to be better on Sunday when they face No. 7 Texas A&M. The Aggies play in a hostile environment at Ellis Field and will be ISU's toughest opponent this season. If the first three games tell anything though, it's that the Redbirds will not allow shots to come easy for the shot-happy Aggies. ISU has allowed just 18 shots this season.
Kickoff Sunday is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Ellis Field. A live audio broadcast will be streamed at GoRedbirds.com and you can follow ISU soccer on Twitter @ISU_Soccer.
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