NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State scored two goals in the opening 11 minutes as the Redbirds defeated the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team, 3-0, on Friday evening at Adelaide Street Field. Kate Del Fava scored two goals in the contest for the hosts and Brittany Paganucci added the other tally. 

The Redbirds (2-3-0) opened the scoring in the third minute through Del Fava. A through ball from Paganucci near midfield was collected outside the box by Del Fava and she dribbled to about eight yards before finishing from the right side of the box to give Illinois State the early lead. 

Illinois State doubled its advantage in the 11th minute off a corner kick. The initial chance from the corner fell to Del Fava but was cleared off the line by the Huskie defense, only to see the ball fall to the feet of Paganucci who tapped in home from close range. 

NIU (0-2-1) sophomore goalkeeper Julia Lentz (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) finished the first half with six saves as the Redbirds took a 2-0 lead into the break. 

Illinois State added a third when Del Fava scored her second goal of the contest in the 74th minute. The Redbird midfielder was the first to pounce on a ball just outside the top of the box, taking a touch to create an angle around Lentz to finish and give the Redbirds a 3-0 lead. 

Lentz finished with seven saves in the contest, Haley Smith made a pair of stops in goal for Illinois State. 

The Huskies will travel to Macomb, Ill., on Sunday, September 8, to face Western Illinois. Kickoff against the Leathernecks is slated for 1 p.m.