Illinois State (3-4-2) topped the Toledo Rockets (3-3-1) in a 2-1 victory in Toledo, Ohio, Friday afternoon. Mikayla Unger and Alix McArthur scored for the Redbirds, each coming off the bench to tally their second goals of the season. Illinois State now leads the all-time series with the Rockets, 2-0.
"Great to wrap up our seven-game road stretch with a solid result," said head coach Brad Silvey. "This was a tough Toledo team that presented a lot of problems and disrupted the way we wanted to play. Our team, especially our bench, showed a lot of grit and determination to find a way to win."Â
The match was a hard-fought battle for the first 30 minutes with both teams creating opportunities that they could not capitalize on. Junior defender Emily Adelman had a notable goal-line save in the 20th minute to keep the game scoreless.
The Rockets scored first in the 29th minute as redshirt senior Hannah Scafaria broke away down the left side of the field to put it past goalkeeper Haley Smith. Scafaria now has seven goals in seven games and is ranked fifth in the nation for goals per game.
Five minutes later, junior forward Mikayla Unger responded with a powerful strike from distance to tie it up. It was Unger's second goal of the season and 11th career goal. Midfielder Alix McArthur netted the game-winning goal in the 42nd minute off a pass from Unger. Both players had subbed on midway through the first half, providing a burst of energy for the Redbirds and having an immediate impact on the game.
Solid defense and an excellent effort in goal by reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Week Haley Smith proved to stifle Toledo's offense in the second half. Smith had three saves in goal off of 13 shots faced.
UP NEXT: Illinois State returns home to Adelaide Street Field to take on Omaha Sunday at noon. This will be the first time the Redbirds will play on their home field in nearly a month. The match will also serve as Reggie's Kids Club Day, with each Reggie's Kids Club member in attendance receiving a mini Redbird soccer ball.
For all the latest on Illinois State soccer, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @Redbird_Soccer (Twitter, Facebook).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
