Featured Image by: Darvin Nelson

Video by: Brett Nweeia

The UNF Women’s Soccer team was blanked in a decisive 5-0 loss to Illinois State fueled by Abby Basler’s hat trick.

Basler put the Redbirds on the board first in the 11th minute with a goal that UNF goalkeeper Rhiannon Conelley couldn’t quite corral for an early 1-0 lead.

Sarah Lafayette extended the Redbirds lead in the 24th minute on a chip shot for a 2-0 score.

After allowing Lafayette’s goal, the Ospreys subbed out Conelley and brought in Kelli Crowley in the 24th minute.

The Ospreys struggled on the attack as they only recorded two shots throughout the entire half.

Basler finished the half with her second goal of the game in the 32nd minute for a 3-0 lead.

The Redbirds picked up where they left off in the second half as Alix McArthur netted a goal in the 58th minute to make it 4-0 Redbirds.

Two minutes later, Basler recorded her hat trick on a goal on the lower left side of the net to cement the 5-0 win.

With this loss, the Ospreys have allowed eight unanswered goals in their past two games.

UNF Women’s Soccer Head Coach Eric Faulconer discussed what needs to happen before their next game on Sunday.

“We need to find out which players want to play. That’s what it comes down to,” Coach Faulconer said.

The Ospreys now drop to 4-3-1 and Illinois State improves to 5-4-0.

UNF’s next home match is against Western Carolina on Sunday, September 22 at 1 p.m.

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