NIU’s soccer team raised its record to an impressive 5-1-1 in Wednesday’s 2-0 home victory over Ilinois State thanks in part to the goals of Todd Moore and Jim Corno.

Moore struck first when he cranked an eight-yarder from the left side with just 10:02 gone. Per Ekholdt assisted on the goal.

“I knew I had to get (the ball) on the ground,” said Moore. “I thought I had a couple of defenders on me, but luckily (the ball) got on the ground so I could put it in the goal.”

Less than five minutes later, Corno blasted one in for NIU’s second goal which was assisted by Karsten Roy.

“All I tried to do was to get the ball before the goalie, and luckily I did,” said Corno. “I chipped over to Frank (Sparacino), and I thought it was Frank’s goal until I heard on the P. A. ‘Jim Corno – goal.'”

Despite the shutout, NIU coach Willy Roy was less than satisfied with his team’s overall performance.

“I didn’t think it was a good game on both sides,” said Roy “We gave them too many mental mistakes. We’re a lot better than what we showed.

“Unless we go into the game fully concentrated, we’re going to cause ourselves trouble. That’s what happened today.”

ISU caused plenty of trouble for itself with its third straight loss, which drops the Redbirds to 1-5 overall.

“At times I thought we outplayed Northern,” said six year ISU coach Tim Carter, “but we failed to score that initial goal to get us going. The two goals in the first half that were close together really cut our momentum. We were trying to get back into it the whole match but just couldn’t. We’re still searching.”

ISU has had its share of bad luck this year after coming off of last years 12-7-1 record. Roy has no more of an idea than Carter for ISU’s dismal start.

“I don’t understand how ISU is 1-5. It’s beyond me. They have excellent players,” said Roy.

“We have to be totally more concentrated,” continued Roy. “We’re not always going to get away with things we got away with today.”

NIU did show some fine defensive plays as well, especially goalie Markus Roy, who recorded his fourth shutout and stopped six shots.

“Markus made a key save for us. (ISU) had a breakaway, and Markus just came over and blocked it, so the guy shot it wide. He was tested enough, especially because he had to talk to about 20 players on the field. It made his job a lot harder,” said Roy.

NIU was in danger of losing its shutout when ISU was awarded a penalty kick in the second half. Although the shot was wide, Markus Roy anticipated the shot correctly.

“I saw him look one way, and I figured if he is going to go that way, then I’m going to go that way. I went over there, and he missed anyways so it was pretty lucky,” said Markus Roy.

Willy Roy Jr. had a penalty shot go off the post. In fact, he hit the post twice in the game and four times in the last two games.