Allison Thornley Senior Associate Athletic Director/Internal Operations | Illinois State University Athletics Website
Allison Thornley Senior Associate Athletic Director/Internal Operations | Illinois State University Athletics Website
Illinois State Soccer (1-0-0, 0-0-0 MVC) rallied from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 Thursday over Green Bay (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Horizon), securing the first victory for head coach Raleigh DeRose. The match marked the first win in the opening game of the NCAA DI college soccer season after weather conditions moved kickoff to Thursday afternoon.
The Redbirds trailed 1-0 after Green Bay scored in the 8th minute. Illinois State responded just before halftime when Sammi Cenek netted her first career goal and the team's first goal of the season. Ava Watson played the ball in from the near side, and Cenek scored a header to equalize at 1-1 in the 44th minute.
Shortly after halftime, freshman Chloe Cline scored her first career goal, putting Illinois State ahead with what would be the game-winning goal. The Redbirds earned a corner kick in the 51st minute, which Jade Rehberger took. Cline was positioned at the far post and scored after Mallorie Bernhart failed to secure it.
The Redbirds maintained their lead to close out the match, improving to 1-0 and winning their season opener for the first time since 2014.
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The Redbirds will travel for their next game against Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday at Noon CT on ESPN+.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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