The Illinois State women's soccer team defeated the UNI Panthers, 5-0, on the road Saturday afternoon to open Missouri Valley Conference play on a high note. The Redbirds improve to 7-4 on the season and are now on a five-game winning streak, while the Panthers drop to 4-6.
Senior Kate Del Fava recorded her fourth multi-goal game of the season with two goals in the match. Other goal scorers included juniors Alissa Ramsden, Natalie Vaughn-Low and Abby Basler. Senior goalkeeper Haley Smith picked up the win in goal for the Redbirds, posting her third shutout of the season.
"It was a tremendous performance all-around from our team today, and a great start to our conference season," said head coach Brad Silvey. "With four different goal scorers and a shutout, our group did a great job of managing both ends of the field and controlling the direction of the game."
The Redbirds converted on each of their first three shots, to quickly secure a 3-0 lead in the first 14 minutes of the match.
Ramsden's goal in the fourth minute was the result of a Basler corner kick, with Del Fava picking up the assist on the play. The center back now has two career goals, scoring in back-to-back games this season.
Less than five minutes later Del Fava recorded her 10th goal of the season, beating the keeper on a breakaway and finding the back of the net to double the Redbird lead.
Vaughn-Low wrapped up the scoring for the Redbirds in the first half, capitalizing on a mistake by the goalkeeper who had come off her line and striking it into the lower right corner of the goal. The junior now has three goals and eight points in five appearances this season.
Illinois State's fourth goal was a penalty kick taken by Basler, the reigning MVC Offensive Player of the Week, who struck it into the roof of the goal for her fourth goal on the season. Basler, who also assisted on ISU's second goal, has combined for 12 points (four goals, four assists) over the last three matches.
Del Fava recorded the fifth and final goal of the day for the Redbirds, collecting a ball in the box from Basler and side-stepping the keeper to shoot it into an open net. She improves to a MVC-leading 11 goals on the year and now ranks eighth in ISU's program records in total goals (19).
The Redbirds outshot the Panthers 13-6 and 11-2 in shots on goal on the day. They also maintained an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Smith had two saves in goal, bringing her to 302 career saves. After today's match, she has bypassed Aryn Newsom (2010-2014, 301 saves) to move into second place in program history in total saves behind record-holder Becky Feldmann (1997-2000, 341 saves).
UP NEXT
The Redbirds continue conference play, hosting Evansville at Adelaide Street Field on Sunday, Oct. 6 for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., but fans are encouraged to arrive early for a pregame senior ceremony.
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