NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State (8-3-2) soccer team broke a draw in the final five minutes for the second-consecutive match, as sophomore Aimee Wronski headed home the game-winning goal in the Redbirds’ 1-0 victory over Loyola Chicago (6-6-1) on “Kick for a Cure” day, Wednesday afternoon at Adelaide Street Field.

“We were really happy to get that goal, and it was a nice finish,” head coach Drew Roff said.  “We felt like a goal was coming.  I felt like, with the way we played in the second half, we definitely deserved a goal.  The first half, not so much.  That’s the next step, playing 90 minutes like we did those last 45.”

The Redbirds squandered numerous opportunities in the second half before finally connecting on the game-winner.  Anna Stinson swung in a corner kick from the left side that first found the head of Rachel Tejada.  Tejada lightly headed the ball over to Wronski on the left post, who sent it past the LU keeper with her head to put the Redbirds up for good.

“I was making my far post run, like I’m supposed to, and it hit Rachel’s head,” Wronski said.  “The ball could have been going in either way, but I got my head on it just to make sure it went in and didn’t go wide.”

The goal was Wronski’s second of the season, with both coming in the Redbirds’ last two home matches.  Both Stinson and Tejada were credited with assists on the play, their first and fourth of the season, respectively.

The Redbirds outshot their opponent for just the third time this season, firing 19 shots compared to Loyola’s 12.  Tejada and Wronski led all players with four shots apiece, while Ali Farkos and Stinson each recorded three.  The three shots is a career high for Farkos, the second-consecutive match she has set a new personal best.

Thirteen of Illinois State’s 19 shots came in the second 45 minutes, the most in any half this season.  The best of those chances came in the 71^st minute, when both Tejada and Kyla Cross hit the post within 10 seconds of each other. 

Mara Kremenovic and Aryn Newsom each played a half in goal, with Kremenovic stopping one shot in the first 45 minutes and Newsom making three saves in the second half.  The two combined for the Redbirds’ fourth shutout this season.

Of the Redbirds’ 11 games this season that have not been draws, nine were settled by one goal or less.  With Wednesday’s win, ISU improves to 7-2 in those games.

Illinois State continues its four-game home stand Wednesday, Oct. 10 against Northern Iowa at 3 p.m.  The match against the Ramblers was the Redbirds’ final non-conference game of the season, as just four Missouri Valley Conference games remain in the regular season.

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