The Indiana State University women's soccer team fought hard for 90 minutes against the Illinois State Redbirds but was defeated 4-1 Friday night.

This was the eighth consecutive loss for the Sycamores as their record dropped to 3-12-0 overall and 0-4-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).  Conference opponents the Illinois State Redbirds improved their record to 9-5-0 overall and 4-1-0 in the MVC.

"I don't think the score necessarily reflects how we did on the field today," Erika True, ISU head women's soccer coach said.  "Illinois State has some tremendous players and great finishing ability, and they completely utilized that today against us, but, at the same time, we created opportunities."

Within the first two minutes of play the Redbirds had an early opportunity on goal as a header in the box hit the post.  The Redbirds would attack again in the eight minute but senior goalkeeper Emily Lahay dove, keeping them off the board.

In the 27th minute a shot from the left side of the field hit the back corner of the goal giving Illinois State the lead.

The Sycamores responded as senior defender and forward Morgan Wendlandt's shot from the top of the penalty box forced the keeper to dive to her right to make the save.

Illinois State would once again score with two seconds left on the clock before the end of the first half.

The Redbirds outscored the Sycamores in number of shots 9-4, 4-1 in shots on goal.  ISU led 4-3 on corner kicks.

The Sycamores began the second half with four different Sycamores getting shots off.  The pressure paid off as, in the 47th minute of play, the senior forward Jessica Rosenberg scored for the Sycamores assisted by freshman forward Alexandra Rodas.

"It was great to see Jessica Rosenberg get on the board, and we've been waiting for that to happen," True said.

In the 51st minute of play following a corner by senior mid-fielder and forward Seyma Erenli, freshman mid-fielder and forward Marisa Windisch attempted a shot, from 25 yards out, but it sailed high.

Two minutes later, the Redbirds extended their lead 3-1 following a shot from the middle of the box.

The Sycamores continued to find the back of the net with Erneli in the 62nd minute with a shot which forced the Redbird goalkeeper to make a jumping save.

In the 64th minute the Redbirds scored, making the score 4-1 and that was enough for the win over the Sycamores.

The Sycamores return to the Memorial Stadium Wednesday when they host the University of Evansville.  The match will be the women's soccer Pink Night.  Fans wearing pink can enter for free.