Sycamores pick up two shutout wins over in-state rivals

This past weekend, the Indiana State women's soccer team improved to 2-2 on the season after defeating Butler (0-3-0) and IPFW (1-2-0) in shutout fashion.

"Two wins and two shutouts," said head coach Erika True. "Both games were good wins for us."

The Sycamores defeated the Butler Bulldogs 1-0 in Indianapolis on Friday evening.

After a slow start in the first five minutes, the Sycamores were faced with a penalty in their box, awarding the Bulldogs a penalty kick in the seventh minute.

However, junior goalkeeper Emily Lahay made an outstanding save to keep the Sycamores from going down 1-0 in the early minutes of the game.

"Anytime a goalkeeper comes up with a huge save, it typically inspires everyone else around her," True said. "When she came up with that PK save, the rest of the team was kind of like ‘Alright, it's time to get in gear now'."

Butler continued to pound the Sycamore defense throughout the rest of the game, but the defense stood strong and Butler never was able to break through and put one in the back of the net.

In the 71st minute, the Sycamores were able to convert when junior Alison Gasparovich sent a through ball to junior transfer Ashley Collins. From that point, Collins did the rest and put the Sycamores up 1-0.

Strong defense for the remainder of the game secured the first Sycamore victory of the season.

"Each game we step out on the field, I think we improve each time," True said. "There are some pieces of the puzzle that are starting to really come together. Alison Gasparovich and Seyma [Erenli] have started to combine more, which has created more attack for us."

Overall, Butler outshot Indiana State 13-6. Five of the Butler shots were on goal.

The goal from Collins was the lone Sycamore shot on goal for the game.

Lahay finished the game with five saves, securing her first win and shutout of the season. The victory puts her at 1-1 overall for the 2010 campaign.

Sunday afternoon, the Sycamores defeated the IPFW Mastodons 2-0 in their second consecutive shutout win this season.

From the opening kickoff until the final whistle, the Sycamores thoroughly outplayed the ‘Dons.

The Sycamores outplayed IPFW by using the width of the field more than they have in past games. They were able to find the open players on the field and create space, which allowed many more opportunities in the offensive end of the field.

In the 17th minute of the game, ISU got their first glimpse of the goal when freshman Shelby Troyer sent a cross into the box that nicked off the crossbar.

Then, in the 30th minute, junior Jessica Rosenberg was fouled 25 yards away from the goal. Junior defender Morgan Wendlandt took the free kick and blasted it past IPFW freshman goalkeeper Erin Nayler to put ISU up 1-0 before halftime.

At the end of the first period, the Sycamores were outshooting the Mastodons 8-5, with four of those eight shots being on goal.

Gasparovich sealed the deal for the Sycamores in the 72nd minute with her first goal of the season.

After sophomore Casey Allbright stole the ball from an IPFW midfielder, the ball found its way to Gasparovich, who dribbled through two Mastodon defenders and took a big left-footed shot that powered past Nayler to give ISU the 2-0 victory.

ISU outshot IPFW 19-8 with six shots on goal for the game.

Lahay recorded her second shutout win of the season, moving her to 2-1 on the season.

"Emily's been strong in net for us," True said. "If you have a strong, confident goalkeeper in the goal, it tends to help the whole team. She's been doing great."

The Sycamores will be back in action on Sunday, September 5, when they host the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.