VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Illinois State women's soccer team was blanked, 1-0, in its Missouri Valley Conference opener after the Beacons scored in the 83rd-minute on Friday evening at Brown Stadium.
The Redbirds (2-7 overall, 0-1 MVC) relentlessly pressured the Beacons' (4-4-1 overall, 1-0 MVC) backline in the match's first 10 minutes, highlighted by a blistering third-minute shot from sophomore Ashlee Bakaitis from 25 yards out that clanked off the post.
Dangerous chances were relatively hard to come by the rest of the way for ISU, but fifth-year senior Sarah LaFayette and junior Allison Baker nearly connected in the 70th minute but the chance was stopped by spring 2021 MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Nikki Coryell, who made seven saves on the match.