NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Indiana State (10-5-5, 4-3-3) defeated Southern Illinois (6-7-5, 2-5-3) on Thursday evening in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at E.S. Rose Park, with Mackenzie Kent scoring two first-half goals for the Sycamores.
Indiana State women's soccer made its 13th appearance in the MVC Tournament in the 2024 season, the first time since the 2021 season.
The Sycamores achieved its first conference tournament win since 2016 where the Trees advanced to the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament after defeating the fifth-seeded Drake Bulldogs in a penalty shootout, 3-2, at Memorial Stadium.
How it happened:
Southern Illinois outshot Indiana State 17-7 and held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks during the first round of the MVC tournament.
ISU got off to a strong start, taking a 1-0 lead just 58 seconds into the match when Brooklyn Woods executed a free kick that Mackenzie Kent converted with a shot into the upper right corner of the net.
The Salukis responded in the 15th minute, with Maycie Massingill slipping the ball past Alexander to level the score at 1-1.
Kent scored again in the 25th minute after receiving a pass from Wimberley Wright, skillfully chipping the ball over the SIU keeper's head to reclaim the lead at 2-1.
The Sycamores went into halftime with three total shots, two of which were goals by Kent, along with an additional attempt from Grace Quinn.
The second half was marked by numerous opportunities for the Salukis, who registered nine shot attempts while seeking an equalizer. However, Alexander and the Sycamore defense stood strong, preventing any goals for the remainder of the half and sealing the victory.
Alex Lehnert came out with intensity in the second half, firing shot attempts in the 47th and 52nd minutes, but both were turned away by Fabiana.
Wright and Kent also had chances in the second half, but the Sycamores did not register another shot attempt after the 57th minute mark.
Maddie Alexander was outstanding in goal throughout the match, recording nine saves and preventing the Salukis from scoring in the second half.
SIU keeper Fabiana made two saves while the Salukis' offense was led by Maycie Massingill, who recorded five shot attempts, four of which were on target, and scored the team's solo goal.
Up Next:
Indiana State advances to an MVC Quarterfinal match where they will face No. 4 seed Belmont on Sunday, November 1 at 3 p.m. ET in Nashville, Tenn.
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