News from Illinois State sports teams

Soccer falls to Creighton

Illinois State's women's soccer team had plenty of opportunities but couldn't capitalize as Creighton held off the Redbirds 1-0 in a Missouri Valley Conference match at Omaha, Neb., Saturday.

ISU fell to 3-6-3 overall and 0-2-1 in the Valley.

Creighton (7-5-1, 1-0) got the only goal when Katie Brennan headed the ball past ISU goalie Erica Goethel from five feet out at the 33:18 mark. A flipping Sam Russell made the throw in for the Bluejays. Russell found Kristine Willrett in front of the Redbird goal and she headed a pass to an unmarked Brennan at the far post.

ISU had chances before Brennan's goal and afterwards. The Redbirds had 13 shots, with Creighton goalies Valerie Zimmerer and Kristan Casey making three saves each. Goethel had five saves.

The Redbirds were coming off a double-overtime, scoreless tie against Drake on Thursday night in Des Moines, Iowa.

"This is the seventh weekend we have played and that's not an excuse," said ISU coach Pete Kowall. "But after our long game on Thursday night, I think our fatigue showed.

"Having said that we only gave up one goal to Creighton, the team that was picked to win the league. We don't want to give up any goals, but giving up just one to a team like that with them playing at home is pretty impressive."

Runners prepare

Three ISU women used the Saluki Invitational as a warm-up for the up-coming MVC Championships. Maureen Nelligan led the way in 69th, clocking 20:42.31 on the 5K course.

Also participating were Hannah Radostits (80th, 21:08.17) and Whitney Beals (89th, 21:53.65).

Pontiac's Sarah Rinker placed 10th for team-champion Southern Illinois in the nine-team meet in 18:32.36. Winner Sara Hiller of Missouri-Kansas City ran 17:48.66.

In the men's division, Eureka's Jon Houseworth placed 19th for the University of Illinois, clocking 26:02.63 on an 8K course.

Mohamed Mohamed won in 24:32.68 to spark SIU to 45 points and the team title. Illinois was third with 71.