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Head coach Pete Kowall was proud of his team's
effort but says there's still work to be done. “It was a good effort today, especially defensively,” Kowall said.
“The goals were good, but we had four or five really good chances
that we missed. We still have to get better at finishing.”
The 'Birds came out strong and kept the ball in Purple Aces
territory for most of the first half. ISU was able to take a number
of good shots, but the shots just weren't falling -- that is, until
Evansville was called for a foul with just under five minutes left
in the first half.
Kowall sent junior defender Heather Forsyth forward to take the kick
just outside the front of the box. Forsyth's first shot hit the
crossbar, but the ball came back to her and she was able to score,
giving the 'Birds a 1-0 lead. Forsyth's goal was her second of the
season. Illinois State ended up outshooting Evansville 14-1 in the
first half.
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Intensity was the name of the game at the start of the second half.
The 'Birds came out the same way they had at the start of the game,
pushing the ball downfield and barely allowing the Purple Aces to
cross into ISU territory.
The 'Birds dominated for the majority of
the game, putting the Purple Aces away for good on Michelle Brumbaugh's goal at the 66:39 mark. Senior Katie Long set up
Brumbaugh and recorded her first assist of the year, after failing
to score on a few breakaways herself. Brumbaugh now leads the team
with three goals on the season.
Kowall thought Long had a
gritty performance sticking it out and getting the assist. “Katie missed a couple of breakaways, and then she served Michelle
for a nice goal,” Kowall said. “She persevered after missing a few,
went and got a better ball, and gave it to Michelle.”
The Purple Aces were able to get a couple shots off near the end of
the game, but the Illinois State defense fought them off. One save
was all that senior goalkeeper Allison Farrington was able to get.
She earned the shutout for the 'Birds, her fifth this the season.
The Redbirds, who are 5-4-2 and 2-0 in the Valley, will host
conference foe Indiana State at noon on Sunday.
[News release] |
