NORMAL, Ill. – After getting off to slow starts in its last three matches, the Illinois State soccer team came out strong in its first home match in more than two weeks, taking an early 1-0 lead before eventually defeating Green Bay, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon at Adelaide Street Field.  Aimee Wronski scored the game-winning goal in the second half and assisted on Kyla Cross’ game-opening goal in the first half.

“A good early start was something that we really stressed coming in,” head coach Drew Roff said.  “I figured, being at home, there was a good chance we would come out ready to play.  Adelaide Street Field is a comfortable place for us, and we have had a lot of success here.”

Wronski’s game-winning goal came in the 78th minute with the match deadlocked at 1-1.  The sophomore collected the ball at the top of the penalty arc and shook off a Phoenix defender with some footwork.  She then settled the ball and fired a shot by Phoenix keeper Katy Pilarzyk to give the Redbirds a 2-1 lead they wouldn’t relent.  The goal was Wronski’s first of 2012.

Cross opened the game’s scoring in the 22nd minute with her second goal in the last three games.  Freshman Lauren Koehl found Wronski with a pass that led her into the area.  Wronski drew the defense and keeper before sending a low pass over to Cross, who buried it into the empty net to put ISU up 1-0.  The Redbirds have scored first in eight of their 10 games this season.

Despite outshooting the Phoenix 12-4, the Redbirds found themselves tied after 45 minutes due to Hannah Kernen’s goal in the 41st minute.  Chanel Aries, one of only two Phoenix seniors, fired a shot from distance that ISU keeper Aryn Newsom had to leap to save.  The sprawling play left her out of position, as Kernen easily settled the ball and equalized the game at 1-1.

ISU outshot its opponent for just the second time this season, firing 22 shots compared to 10 from Green Bay.  The total marks a season high for the Redbirds, and the most since recording 28 against Evansville on Oct. 9, 2011.  Rachel Tejada led all players with six shots, despite being held goalless for the second-straight match.

Newsom stopped three shots to earn her fourth victory of 2012.  Gabbi McArtor, Kristin Cooley, Sarah Carlson and Mia Patrevito started along the back line and played all 90 minutes each for the third-straight match.

ISU begins Missouri Valley Conference play Sunday, Sept. 23 at Evansville.  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.  ISU has won six-straight MVC matches, in addition to their last four against the Purple Aces.

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