September 16, 2012
ROCKETS BOTTLED
Illinois State posts 1-0 shutout over Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio – Sarah Mussallem’s second half goal was all Illinois State needed to defeat Toledo 1-0 at Scott Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Redbirds improve to 5-2-2 as they posted their third shutout of the year, while the Rockets fall to 2-6-0.

“For the second game in a row, we raised the intensity level in the second half,” Illinois State 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, 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. Toledo goalkeeper Sam Tiongson made three saves.

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 at 3 p.m.