NORMAL, Ill. – The stars aligned for a draw on Saturday's Senior Night at Adelaide Street as the Illinois State women's soccer team battled Evansville to a 1-1 stalemate.
Illinois State (4-9-1 overall, 2-2-1 Missouri Valley Conference) entered the match as the only team in the MVC without a draw while Evansville (5-3-5 overall, 1-2-2 MVC) is tied for the conference lead in draws. The Redbirds have now played six overtime matches, moving to 1-4-1 in such matches.
Prior to the match, the team honored fifth-year seniors Sarah LaFayette, Ashley Santos, Natalie Vaughn-Low, and Alissa Ramsden, in addition to seniors Logan Ziegler and Riley O'Brien.
After playing in its sixth-straight ISU match in which neither team was able to score in the first 45 minutes, the Redbirds conceded a goal off an Evansville corner kick in the 52nd minute.
Illinois State responded with Santos sending in a ball off a free kick in the 56th minute, gathered by junior Allison Baker, who slotted a shot inside the left post from eight yards out to equalize the match.
Junior Katharine Ashley had a goal waved off due to offside late in regulation as neither team was unable to find the net the rest of the way.
The 'Birds outshot the Purple Aces by a robust 32-12 margin, but ISU put just eight of those attempts on-target. UE held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.
Despite playing in its sixth overtime match of the season, Saturday's match was Illinois State's first match of the season to reach double overtime.
Illinois State extended its unbeaten streak against Evansville to seven matches.
The 'Birds play October 9 against Evansville for Senior Day at Adelaide Street Field.
QUOTE FROM FIFTH-YEAR HEAD COACH BRAD SILVEY
"We talked about bringing good energy and good intensity. We wanted to play for [our seniors] today. I thought [our team] did a great job putting on a show for [our seniors] and the Redbird fans."
For all latest on Illinois State soccer, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @Redbird_Soccer (Twitter, Facebook) and @RedbirdSoccer on Instagram.
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