The Illinois State soccer team came out victorious on Friday night, in a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Utah State Aggies. Logan Ziegler and Natalie Vaughn-Low were the goal scorers for the Redbirds, and sophomore Jenny Scara picked up her first win of the season in goal, playing the whole 90 minutes and making seven saves.
The Redbirds improve to 3-4-0 on the season, while the Aggies slip to 3-3-0.
"All credit to the team for being able to battle back in the second half," said head coach Brad Silvey. "I was really pleased with the team for being able to fight, keep our composure, and only concede the one goal tonight. It was a true, gritty team performance at the end of the game to finish it off and that's a characteristic we're going to need to be successful this year."
Ziegler put the 'Birds on the board in the 34th minute, finding the back of the net for the first time this year and the third in her career. Fellow sophomore Hannah Mueller picked up her second assist of the season on the play.
Utah State equalized in the 50th minute, with junior midfielder Amber Marshall tucking it home for her first goal of the year.
The Redbirds came back to go ahead 2-1 in the 59th minute, as Vaughn-Low scored the gamewinner in her first appearance of the season. Redshirt sophomore Sarah LaFayette was credited with the assist.
"It honestly doesn't feel real," said Vaughn-Low after the game. "It's been a grind to get back to seeing playing time on the field and it feels amazing to score the gamewinner in my first game back. I couldn't ask for more."
NEXT UP
Illinois State takes on Western Illinois at Adelaide Street Field on Sunday. Kickoff with the Leathernecks is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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