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By ISU
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Illinois State soccer team (4-5-0) snapped a three-game win streak for Eastern Michigan (2-3-2), taking them down 4-2. The Redbirds struggled the first half but were able to make adjustments and dominate the second half.
“This was a good result for us on the road against a quality Eastern Michigan team,” head coach Eric Golz said. “We made some uncharacteristic mistakes tonight in defense, but responded very positively after conceding a goal. Our attack came alive tonight, we created a number of clean looks on goal and scored a couple of fantastic goals. I was very proud of the team tonight, we took some important steps as we continue to gain steam heading into conference play.”
After a slow start, Eastern Michigan came out with the first goal of the match in the 12th minute by senior Ellie Tillar. The Redbirds picked it up with six shots, two by sophomore Kiley Czerwinski and two by senior Lauren Koehl, and a goal by senior Brianne Richards in the 42nd minute to tie the game 1-1 going into halftime.
The econd half was dominated by Redbird scoring. ISU went up 2-1 after an own goal by Eastern Michigan. Koehl got a goal off in the 62nd minute after beating two defenders for a one-on-one with the keeper, putting the Redbirds up 3-1. EMU quickly responded with a goal in the 63rd minute with a header by Sabrina McNeill off a high cross by Chanel Vani to close the gap, 3-2. Koehl answered back with another goal in the 68th off a cross from Czerwinski, pulling the lead back out 4-2.
The Redbirds continued to put pressure on EMU the rest of the match with eight shots in the second half, one just high of the goal by freshman Megan McEachern in the 86th minute. Czerwinski and Koehl finished with four shots each, while junior Emily Dickman finished with three.
The Redbirds continue action on the road Sunday, September 18, when they head to DeKalb, Illinois, to take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT.
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