Friday, August 27, 2004

Joyce Kleinheine redirected a restart into the back of the goal with 58 seconds remaining in regulation to lift Illinois State to a 2-1 victory over Valparaiso on Friday afternoon in Bloomington, Ill.

The match was the season opener for both teams, and the Crusaders have yet to win their first match of the year falling to 0-12 all-time.

The Redbirds struck first as Michelle Brumbaugh found the back of the goal past Danielle Guerra (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) at the 19:57 mark of the first half. The match remained 1-0 Illinois State heading into intermission as Redbird goalie Andrea Shaw stopped the only shot she faced.

The Crusaders tied the match at the 53:03 mark as Lindsay Holley (Waldorf, Md./Westlake H.S.) sent a cross from deep in Illinois State territory to the top of the box where freshman Karie Sahly (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central H.S.) ran on to the ball and fired it past Shaw.

The match remain went deep into the second half tied at one as freshman goalkeeper Erin Murray (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley H.S.) made five saves in the stanza working the final 45 minutes in goal.

Illinois State's match-winner came off of a free kick from outside the box and Brumbaugh's attempt deflected off of Joyce Kleinheine to give the Redbirds the final advantage.

Illinois State (1-0) outshot Valpo 18-8 for the contest, holding a 7-4 advantage on net. The Crusaders earned six corner kicks to the Redbirds five.

Valparaiso (0-1) will look to rebound on Sunday as the Crusaders host Loyola (Ill.) in their home opener. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Eastgate Field.