TOLEDO, Ohio – For the second-straight match, the Illinois State (5-2-2) soccer team overcame a slow second half to pull out a victory, this time winning at Toledo (2-6-0) 1-0 Sunday afternoon.  Sarah Mussallem’s goal in the 58th minute was all the Redbirds needed, as the squad collected its third shutout of 2012. 

“For the second game in a row, we raised the intensity level in the second half,” head coach Drew Roff said.  “In the second half, we were winning challenges in the midfield and doing a better job of getting the ball to our forwards.  They were able to create some good scoring chances for us.” 

Mussallem’s goal, her second of the season, began to form when senior back Sarah Carlson won a ball and played it ahead to Rachel Tejada.  Tejada drew two defenders before passing it to Mussallem on the right wing, who had space to cut towards the box and fire a shot by Toledo keeper Sam Tiongson.  The assist, Tejada’s third of the season, moved her into a tie with Aimee Wronski for the team lead.

Aryn Newsom made four saves in the victory to collect her second shutout of the season.  The Illinois State starting back line of Gabbi McArtor, Kristin Cooley, Sarah Carlson and Mia Patrevito played all 90 minutes each for the second-consecutive game.

The two-straight wins for the Redbirds mark the first time in 2012 that the team has won consecutive matches.  It is also the first time ISU has won back-to-back road games since Oct. 16 and Oct. 20, 2010.

“We’re not where we need to be, but to get two wins on a tough road trip in Ohio is certainly something we can build on,” Roff said.  “Now, our challenge is to turn these good second halves into a quality 90-minute game.”

Despite recording the assist, Tejada was held without a shot for only the second time in her 28 career games.  The Redbirds as a team were outshot for the second-consecutive match, this time 18-7. 

Illinois State’s next match will be Wednesday, Sept. 19 against Green Bay at Adelaide Street Field.  Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.  It will be the Redbirds’ first home match since Sept. 2 and only their third in Normal overall, with the Redbirds holding a 4-1-1 road record in 2012.

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