Champaign, Ill. - Illinois State Soccer (0-1-0, 0-0 in MVC) dropped its season opener to Illinois (1-0-0, 0-0) 1-0 Thursday night in Champaign after a late second-half goal broke the scoreless tie at Demirjian Park.
In head coach Marisa Kresge's inaugural game for the Redbirds, Illinois State battled with in-state foe Illinois despite being out-shot 19-4 in the match. Illinois' barrage didn't break through until the 85th minute, when Ashley Prell's rebound shot finished in the upper right corner for the go-ahead goal.
Michaela Kirschten, Sydney Smith and Ashley Katharine each put in 90 minutes of strong work on the back line to help keep Illinois off the board for most of the game.