Panther Soccer Falls in a Shootout against the Redbirds

Sunday, April 11

Normal, IL

6 pm

University of Northern Iowa

4-4-3, 4-4-0

Illinois State University

4-6-1, 4-4-0

UNI

Illinois St.

Panther Soccer Falls in a Shootout against the Redbirds

4/11/2021 8:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Normal, IL - The Panthers kicked off tournament play against the Illinois State Redbirds on Sunday night. It was a tough 110 minutes of play that ended in a shootout. The Panthers lost 3-0 in the shootout.

The first half was an uphill battle for both teams with wet field conditions. Even with less than ideal field conditions, Johnnie Hill was able to bend in a goal from outside the corner of the box in the 19th minute for her first goal of the season. Nearing the 23rd minute of play, Caitlin Richards was shaken up forcing her to step out of the game for a moment, but she was not out for long and tallied four saves in the first half for the Panthers.

The Redbirds came out strong in the second half netting a goal off of a corner kick in the 46th minute to tie the score up at 1-1. The Redbirds continued to apply pressure down field throughout the second half, but Caitlin Richards and the Panther defense stood strong as Richards grabbed six more saves in the half.

Both teams had an opportunity near the end of regulation but were unable to capitalize taking the game into overtime. In the first overtime, Caitlin Richards was a brick wall punching the ball out of the box on multiple occasions to stop game-winning opportunities. In the second overtime, Illinois State netted a goal that was called off due to an offsides call. Richards totaled 13 saves on the night earning her State Farm Player of the game alongside Redbird keeper, Priya Gillan.

The game came down to a shootout and Brittney Bentheimer stepped up to protect the net. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Illinois State's keeper, Priya Gillan did not let anything get by her and the game finished 3-0 in the shootout.

The Panthers concluded their season, 4-5-2.