Katie Gaal
GoSycamores.Com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? The Indiana State Sycamores (3-10-0, 1-2-0 MVC) meant business when they stepped onto the field this afternoon against the Oakland City University Lady Oaks (3-8-1) as they scored four goals in the first half en route to a 9-0 non-conference victory. Nine goals in a single game is a new Indiana State record.
The Sycamores outshot the Lady Oaks 21-2 in the first half. Whitney McInnis moved the mesh first when she received a cross from the left from Natalie Smailis. Erin Bianchi found Smailis on the outside who crossed it to McInnis who finished with a one touch shot into the back of the net to take the 1-0 lead at 24:55. It was McInnis' first goal of the season.
The second goal came at 36:32 when Noelle Carusillo hit a rocket of a shot from just outside the top center of the 18 yard box. It was also Carusillo's first goal of the season.
Less than thirty seconds later, Jessica Rosenberg notched her first goal this year and first career goal when she received a perfectly slotted ball in the box from Laura Terry to go up 3-0 on the Lady Oaks.
The Sycamores registered one more goal in the half at 40:43 when Smailis, who tallied an assist earlier, got in on the scoring action after she finished a slot from Cassie Miller from the right flank.
The Sycamores turned it on even more in the second half, scoring five goals in less than 28 minutes. Rosenberg tallied her second goal of the game assisted by Smailis once again at 62:22.
Less than five minutes later, Nikki Novarro headed in a corner kick from Carusillo to put the score at 6-0 in favor of the Sycamores. It was Novarro's first career goal.
Erin Bianchi also tallied her first goal of the season when she rebounded an initial shot that Carusillo took that was saved by Lady Oaks goalkeeper Kaci Weatherholt. Weatherholt couldn't hold onto it as Bianchi took advantage and put the ball in the back of the net.
In the 82nd minute, Melisa Spisak blasted a shot from the left about 30 yards out that flew right over the head of Weatherholt to give Spisak her first career goal.
And as if Carusillo hadn't had a great game thus far, she scored the final goal of the game off an unassisted shot from the middle of the 18 yard box. Carusillo's six points in a single game ties the all-time Indiana State record that was set in 2004 by Nichole Tiggs.
The Sycamores had 47 total shots (compared to just 2 for the Oaks) which is also a new Indiana State record. The team had 33 shots in a single game back in 2001. As a team, the Sycamores had seven assists in the match which ties the all-time record also set in 2001.
McInnis tallied nine total shots in the game to lead the Sycamore squad. She now moves into second place for most shots in one game. The record is eleven shots set by Rachel Hasser in 2003.
Today's game was originally scheduled as a reserve game but that was changed and now it officially counts towards the team's 2008 overall record.
The Sycamores have four remaining games on the schedule. First, they will travel to Illinois State on Sunday, October 19, for a 2:00 p.m. game. Then on Tuesday, October 21, they will battle with the Bulldogs of Butler University at 4:00 p.m.
The final home game for the Sycamores is on Sunday, October 26, versus MVC rival Drake University. The Sycamores will conclude regular-season play on October 31, when they play an 8:00 p.m. game at Missouri State.
