NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer suffered a loss to open the season against Lindenwood, 2-1, on Thursday evening at Adelaide Street Field.
In the early minutes of the contest, the Redbirds posed a threat as Sophomore Eve Gricius forced a save from the Lions' goalkeeper in the 14th minute. Less than a minute later, Freshman Grace Petrie, in her first collegiate start, followed with another shot on target, forcing a save.
Despite the momentum in the opening moments of the game from the Redbirds, neither squad was able to gain an advantage as the first half closed at 0-0.
To begin the second half, Lindenwood secured a penalty kick in the beginning minutes of the half and converted to open scoring at 1-0 in the 47th minute.
Illinois State wouldn't take long to respond as Sophomore Chloe Cline scored her first goal of the 2025 season and her third career goal in the 53rd minute to equal the contest at 1-1.
After the Redbirds secured the equalizer, Lindenwood found space at the edge of the box to recapture the lead and secure the game-winning goal in the 60th minute to make it 2-1.
Illinois State pressed to find an equalizer as the game neared a close, out shooting the Lions 5-1 in the last 30 minutes, but were unable to prevail in the end.
UP NEXT
Illinois State will return to Adelaide Street Field on Sunday for a rematch from 2024 against Northwestern. The match will be available to stream on ESPN+
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