Illinois State (1-2-0, 0-0-0) dropped its second game of the season at Ball State (3-0-0, 0-0-0) on Thursday evening, conceding the game winning goal in the 84th minute. Redshirt junior Tatiana Hawkins-Dabney converted her second goal of the year for the Cardinals to help Ball State to its third consecutive victory.
"Proud of the response our team showed in the second half but we lacked composure in our attack to secure a goal," said head coach Brad Silvey. "Back-to-back games getting shutout is unacceptable. We need to clean up some individual moments and decisions to flip the script moving forward. Our collective soccer is improving, but the required action to earn the desired results simply has to be better."
The Redbirds struggled to maintain possession in the first half, but fought back and outshot the Cardinals 7-5 after halftime. Ashley Santos took a team-high three shots while Megan McEachern, Sarah LaFayette, and Alix McArthur each recorded shots on goal for Illinois State.
ISU went toe-to-toe for almost the entire game with Ball State, who remain unbeaten at Briner Sports Complex since Sept. 23, 2018. Haley Smith made four saves in goal, staving off many Cardinal attacks and helping keep the Redbirds in the game. Smith, McEachern, Alissa Ramsden and Kate Del Fava each went the full-90 minutes for the 'Birds.
Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville recorded her third clean sheet of the season for Ball State, making three saves in the contest.
UP NEXT: The Redbirds will round out their four-game road stint at Iowa on Sunday, taking on the Hawkeyes at 3 p.m. CT.
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