WINNING STREAK HALTED AT SIX AS SYCAMORES FALL TO T-BIRDS 3-1

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State’s Erin Bianchi struck first, however the Sycamores six-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-1 defeat to the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah University on Sunday afternoon at the ISU Soccer Complex. The loss brings ISU’s record to 7-5-0 and improves SUU to 5-6-2.

“I give all the credit in the world to Southern Utah today,” head coach Vernon Croft said after the match. “We didn’t show up and they had more energy and simply outworked us today.”

The game began in the Sycamores favor as Bianchi collected a ball passed to the flank and fired a goal from 12 feet in the 15th minute. Lauren Podolski and Amanda Gogel were credited with the assist as they crossed the ball to the wide open freshman.

Southern Utah would strike back and tie the game in the 22nd minute as Brooklyn Phillips blasted the ball into the goal as it careened off the cross bar. Cassidy Berlin, an Indiana native for the Thunderbirds, was credited with the assist with the initial shot.

SUU would add a second goal going into the half just five minutes later as Erica Berlin, also a native Hoosier playing in front of friends and family, scored a goal from the corner of the box on a pass from Phillips.

The teams combined for 18 shots in the first half as the Thunderbirds took the 2-1 lead into the half.

Following the break, both teams battled to a stand still with the Sycamores narrowly missing several scoring opportunities.

Gogel was found streaking down the sideline in the 52nd minute and fielded a pass, but pushed the shot just wide. In the 80th minute, Katlin Owens’ header on a set piece narrowly missed the goal and was cleared by a Thunderbird defender guarding the far post.

Southern Utah capitalized on a misplayed ball in the closing seconds and picked up its third goal of the afternoon as Catherine Johnson scored on a Phillips’ assist.

Indiana State will be back in action next weekend as the Sycamores resume MVC play. ISU has started 2-0 in conference for the first time in school history and will look to continue the streak when it faces Evansville on the road Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. and ending the road trip in Normal, Illinois facing the Redbirds of Illinois State on Sunday at Noon.

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