ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Illinois State soccer team fell behind, 4-0, to Navy and a late comeback attempt was not enough as the Redbirds lost, 4-2, Sunday in Annapolis, Maryland.
Offensive opportunities were plentiful all game long for the Redbirds as they attempted a season-high 23 shots and put 10 of them on goal. In addition, ISU attempted a season-high eight corner kicks, but they were unable to find the back of the net until late in the match.
Navy scored the lone first half goal, as Clare MacAdam scored from the top of the 18-yard-box in the 26th minute.
In the second half, the Midshipmen added another goal in the 56th minute as Meghan Hegarty scored unassisted. Six minutes later, Navy was at it again. Eleanor Pratt scored on a shot that ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar and just across the goal line.
The Midshipmen then extended their lead to four in the 71st minute as Natalie Dzhandzhapanyan pushed a volley past Jessica Galason and into the net.
ISU rallied late as Emily Dickman scored her first goal of the season off a pass from Lauren Koehl in the 76th minute. 10 minutes later, Kelli Zickert scored her first goal of the season to cut the lead in half. On a cross into the box, the Navy goalkeeper misplayed the ball and Zickert was on the goal line to score the goal.
ISU's comeback attempt would stop at two and the Redbirds fell to 2-5-1 on the season. Zickert led ISU with nine shots, including four on goal. In the net, Galason made one save.
The Redbirds will be on the road next weekend with matches at Western Michigan and Central Michigan. Friday's match at Western Michigan will kick off at 4 p.m.
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