DEKALB, Ill. – Sophomore Rachel Tejada’s eighth goal of the season in the 70th minute proved enough for the Redbird soccer team to defeat Northern Illinois 1-0 Friday evening in DeKalb.  Despite being outshot 16-6 and putting only two shots on net, the Redbirds (3-0-2) continued the longest unbeaten streak to start a season in the Drew Roff era.

“Anytime you can get a win in college soccer, you’ll take it,” Roff said.  “I’m proud of our effort.  We fought through and found a way to win.  I definitely give our players credit and appreciate their hard work.

“We’ve got to sort some things out, and we think we can play better, but don’t take anything away from Northern Illinois (1-2-0),” Roff added.  “They gave us all that we could handle today.”

Tejada’s goal began to form when Allie Newsom played a ball from the center circle out wide to freshman Sarah Mussallem.  Mussallem chased it down and sent a ball into the box.  Tejada shielded her defender, turned, and fired it past the keeper.  With the goal, Tejada ties Jess Carlson for second on the program’s all-time goals list with 29.

“Rachel just needs one good look at the goal,” Roff said.  “She’s able to bury those chances.  That was huge.”

Tejada has scored eight of the 13 goals ISU has netted this season, with the five from her teammates all coming in the Redbirds’ 7-0 victory over Florida Atlantic.  The game-winner was the ninth of her career, and second this season.  The eight tallies have come on just 11 shots on goal and 19 shots overall.

Senior Sarah Carlson received the first start of her career, playing all 90 minutes along the back line.  Aryn Newsom stopped five shots while earning her fifth-career shutout.  Junior Anna Stinson also saw her first action of the season after missing the first four games due to a sickness, playing 38 minutes in the victory.

The Redbirds are next in action Sunday at 1 p.m., at Adelaide Street Field against another Mid-American Conference foe in Western Michigan.  The match marks Community Day, where local members from Big Brothers Big Sisters are invited to participate in game-day activities. 

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