NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's soccer team was topped by Illinois, 5-1, in front of 503 fans in its home opener at Adelaide Street Field on Sunday.
After a 7th minute goal by the Fighting Illini (2-0 overall), senior Riley O'Brien found the bottom left corner of the net in the 12th minute after a through ball by fifth-year Ashley Santos for the Redbirds (1-1 overall).
Illinois responded just 2:52 later to retake the lead. Additionally, the Fighting Illini's Hope Breslin scored in the 59th minute before completing her hat trick in the 60th minute, putting Illinois up, 5-1.
The 'Birds were outshot by a 25-9 margin while the Fighting Illini recorded a 9-4 corner kicks advantage.
Five goals are the most ISU has given up since 8/24/2018 at Oklahoma. Illinois State drops to 14-8-4 all-time for home openers.
ISU is scheduled to travel to Western Illinois for a 4:00 p.m. matchup on Thursday.
QUOTES FROM FIFTH-YEAR HEAD COACH BRAD SILVEY
On the result: "There are no excuses. That's us right now. That's who we are at this moment in time. And we have to be willing to step into that, and own that, and embrace it, and make sure moving forward that we're finding ways to improve individually, across of functional lines, and as a team, collectively...There were moments I was really proud our team. I think there were great spells where we showed great prowess, great position, great ability to play through lines, great discipline...but the breakdowns can't add up to five goals. We've got some hard lessons to learn, but I believe in this group and I believe that they are going to respond."
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