By ISU Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C. – Illinois State soccer’s historic season came to a close Friday night with a 3-1 loss to Duke University.
ISU concluded the season with the longest unbeaten streak in program history with 15 games, but fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Five minutes into the game, Duke (14-4-3) had their first opportunity off a corner kick. The Blue Devils were able to get two shots off, but Haley Smith denied both with back-to-back saves. Shortly after, Duke scrambled to get another chance, but was quickly negated by an off side called by the referee.
Duke’s Toni Payne put the Blue Devils on the scoreboard in the 42nd minute, as she scored off a one-on-one with Smith.
In the 74th minute, Illinois State (14-6-3) evened the score off a corner kick by Kelli Zickert. Brooke Ksiazek scored inside the six-yard box from a volley pass from Lauren Koehl. Ksiazek netted her first goal of the season, while Koehl tallied her eighth assist this year.
Duke took the lead again in the 77th minute, as Payne sent in a rocket from the top of the 18-yard box. The Blue Devils extended their lead in the 78th minute, 3-1, off a free kick from Casey Martinez.
The Redbirds fell short in shots, 27-2. Despite Duke scoring three goals, Smith dominated between the pipes as she tied her career high with nine saves, eight of which came in the first half.
Koehl ends her Illinois State career as the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the year, leading the MVC this season in shots (181), points (40) and goals (17). The senior played in 83 matches during her time at Illinois State and was an All-MVC First Team selection in 2015 and 2016. She was also an All-Freshman Team selection in 2012.
Paige Jarsombeck ends her Redbird career as a staple of ISU’s defense that dominated Missouri Valley Conference opponents. Jarsombeck was named Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and an All-MVC First Team selection. She was an All-MVC Second Team selection in 2015. She has played in 53 matches since transferring to Illinois State for her sophomore year from Creighton.
Ksiazek ends her Illinois State career as a key player in the midfield. She played in 82 matches and netted four goals. She was an All-MVC honorable mention selection in 2015 and 2016 and was named All-MVC Second Team in 2014.
Sara Stankoskey also wrapped up her career as the heart and soul of the Redbird defense. Stankoskey was named MVC All-Freshman Team selection in 2013 and named the State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award honoree in 2015 and 2016 and also made the MVC Scholar-Athlete team in 2016. She played in 81 matches as a Redbird and started in all 22 games of the 2016 season.
ISU finished the season 14-6-3 and 7-0-1 in the Valley. This season, the program won its 11th regular-season conference title and its seventh MVC tournament title. They made its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance and third-consecutive trip to the second round.
