By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – The Illinois State soccer team defeated Milwaukee, 3-1, and head coach Eric Golz won his first match as a collegiate head coach after being hired in January.

The win is the first of the season for the Redbirds and moves their record to 1-2 on the year.

The first half was much like Sunday’s match against Illinois for the Redbirds as the offense generated multiple chances, but could not find the back of the net. ISU fired seven shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, but Milwaukee keeper Paige Lincicum made seven saves to hold ISU scoreless.

On the offensive end, Milwaukee found a breakthrough in the 16th minute off a corner kick when Sydney Senn headed in a lob from Taylor Swittel. The ball was headed to the far side of the goal and passed ISU keeper Vanessa Niestrom to make it 1-0 Milwaukee.

The score would remain that way through the half, but in the second period ISU’s offense awoke. Less than five minutes in, Brooke Ksiazek tied the match. Ksiazek took a rebound at the top of the box and calmly pushed the ball through several players into the right side of the net.

Later, in the 62nd minute, Ali Farkos took a ball in stride off a clearance from the ISU defense and sent a long pass downfield for Brianne Richards. Richards navigated her way past Lincicum and two Milwaukee defenders before scoring, giving ISU its first lead of the season.

Keely Theobald then put the finishing touches on the ISU victory with her second goal of the season in the 77th minute. ISU worked the ball up the field by connecting several passes and Lauren Koehl and Richards were credited with assists on the play.

With a 3-1 lead, the ISU defense held and Niestrom finished the game with three saves in 90 minutes of action. ISU outshot Milwaukee 16-7 and held an advantage in corner kicks, 8-3.

The Redbirds will host TCU Sunday at 1 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field.