BOX SCORE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Freshman Abby Springer led the University of Evansville women’s soccer team to an impressive 4-1 win in its Missouri Valley Conference opener over Valley preseason favorite Illinois State Sunday afternoon at Arad McCutchan Stadium by recording her first-career hat trick and the first by a UE player since 2008.
 
The Purple Aces (2-6-2, 1-0-0 MVC) held ISU, the league’s top offensive team, to just two shots on goal and outshot the Redbirds (6-3-2, 0-1-0 MVC), 14-11.  UE was just as impressive on offense, putting seven of its 14 shot attempts on frame and hitting the back of the net a season-high four times.  In addition to Springer’s hat trick, Stephanie Thompson recorded a pair of assists and Kayla Smith added another.
 
The Aces took an early 1-0 lead in the 24th minute, when Springer headed in a corner kick service from Thompson.  Thompson swung in a service from the far corner flag and found Springer eight yards out in the middle of the box for her second goal of the year.
 
The UE defense staved off the Redbirds in the later part of the opening half, allowing just one shot on goal to preserve a 1-0 lead heading into the locker room.
 
Thompson doubled Evansville’s advantage in the opening moments of the first half, scoring in the 54th minute off of a cross from Smith.  The goal was Thompson’s second of the year and was the first of the year for Smith.
 
Just over 15 minutes later, Springer found the back of the net for the second time to give the Aces a 3-0 lead.  After a cross from Thompson was deflected by a Redbird defender, Springer collected the loose ball and finished from close range.
 
Illinois State cut the lead to 3-1 in the 74th minute, when Rachel Bostick headed in a flip throw in from Sarah Mussallem, but Springer quickly stopped the momentum by completing her hat trick in the 83rd minute.  Thompson played a long through ball into Illinois State’s defensive third and found the feet of Springer, who dribbled into the box and finished the chance.
 
Evansville goalkeeper Simone Busby picked up the first win of her career and improved to 1-0-2 in net by making a pair of saves.  Thompson led UE with five shots, while Springer added four.
 
The Aces will continue MVC play next Sunday, Sept. 30, when they travel to Missouri State for a 1 p.m. contest at Plaster Field in Springfield, Mo.