By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – The Illinois State soccer team fell to TCU, 2-0, Sunday at Adelaide Street Field.

The Horned Frogs netted a goal in each half and ISU was unable to answer, dropping the Redbirds to 1-3-0 this season.

There was little offensive opportunity early in the first half, but in the 28th minute TCU broke through. Eryn Spencer fired a sweeping cross to the six-yard-box and Allison Ganter stepped up, knocking the ball past ISU keeper Vanessa Niestrom to give TCU the lead.

At the half, shots were 5-3 in TCU’s favor. While the offensive opportunities were sparse at times in the first 45 minutes, TCU came out firing in the second half. Less than 30 seconds into the half, the Frogs fired a shot on goal, but Niestrom batted it away for one of her career-high five saves on the day

The Redbird offense attempted just one shot in the second half, but in the 56th minute TCU struck again. Makenzie Koch lobbed a pass from midfield, which Emma Heckendorn took in stride. She pushed the ball past Niestrom, who had come out to challenge at the top of the box, and slipped the ball across the face of the net into the far side for a 2-0 advantage.

The deficit could have been greater, but late in the game Niestrom came out to make a sliding save in a two-on-one situation. Four of Niestrom’s saves came in the second half.

TCU outshot ISU 14-4 and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. TCU keeper Shannon Coffer had to make two saves in the net, both of which came in the first half.

The loss drops ISU to 1-3 this season while TCU advances to 1-3 with its first win of the year. The Redbirds will host Eastern Michigan Friday at 7 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field.