NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's soccer team (4-5-2) defeated the Kangaroos of UMKC (4-6-1), 1-0, Friday night at Adelaide Street Field.
"It was great to score a goal. It was great to get a win. It was great to get a shutout," said head coach Brad Silvey. "I thought our team did a great job of managing the ebbs and the flows throughout the game. Our midfield did a great job of controlling and dictating the tone and directing the tempo of the game." Â
The match started with quick offensive dominance from the Redbirds, who kept the ball in their offensive third for roughly the first 25 minutes of play. Senior Hannah Rodgers came in off the bench and made an immediate impact. Fellow senior Kelli Zickert was able to play a through ball to Rodgers outside the top of the 18. With some fancy footwork, Rodgers was able to get past two defenders and hit the back of net on the far post. The Redbirds took the 1-0 lead and continued their offensive dominance, outshooting the Roos 13-7 in the first half.
"How tremendous for Hannah to score tonight. We are so happy for her. You couldn't draw it up any better; composed, calm, and finished. Props to her for accepting her role and maximizing the opportunities she had," Silvey said.
The second half was a battle of possession on both sides of the ball, sophomore keeper Haley Smith and the Redbird defense held their own against an increasing offense from UMKC. The Redbird offense also continued their pressure, continuing to outshoot the Roos, finishing with 19 shots to UMKC's 11. Smith finished with five saves on the match while the shot count was even distributed among the Redbird offense. Eight different players each tallied at least two shots with three more getting at least one shot off. Freshman Natalie Vaughn-Low went two-for-two as both shots she took were both on goal, forcing the UMKC keeper to make saves on each.
Friday night's shutout is number five for the Smith and the Redbirds and puts them in second place in the Missouri Valley Conference, having only allowed 10 goals so far this season.
"We want to be a team that can score multiple goals. As we continue into conference and finish up nonconference games, we have to have a firm and consistent approach to each game. Western is another opportunity to play, to perform, and to get better," said Silvey.
The Redbirds hit the road for a nonconference matchup Sunday afternoon when they face the Leathernecks of Western Illinois. The match is set to kickoff at 2 p.m. in Macomb.
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