Normal – Ill. – Illinois State Soccer (0-2-0, 0-0-0 MVC) suffered a 4-0 home loss to Eastern Michigan (1-0-1, 0-0-0) Sunday in the home opener for the Redbirds. Eastern Michigan pulled away following the halftime break despite a closely contested first half. The Eagles scored just before halftime in the 44th minute, then posted a three-goal barrage in the second half to secure a win.
Illinois State is still searching for its first goal of the year, but it was not due to lack of opportunities in Sunday’s loss. The Redbirds generated 12 shots in the game, putting five shots on goal Sunday.
Facing a 1-0 deficit, Illinois State generated a surge of scoring opportunities out of the halftime break. Nine of Illinois State’s 12 shots came in the second half, but the Redbirds couldn’t find accuracy. Defender Michaela Kirschten’s a pair of second-half chances nearly leveled the score, including one opportunity off a header that went bar-down and out to keep Illinois State off the board on the 68th minute.
Kristiana Pappanastos and Allison Baker also generated chances in the first 30 minutes of the second half. Eastern Michigan took a 2-0 lead in the 71st minute, halting momentum from the Redbirds.
Redshirt freshman Audrey Brownwho played the first complete game of her college career in net, stopped the first four Eagle shots on frame before the late first-half goal found the back of the net.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds take on Utah State Aug. 25 at 5 pm MST in the first game of a two-game west coast road swing.