EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.- The SIUE women's soccer team was defeated at home for just the second time this year, falling to Illinois State 2-1 Wednesday night at Korte Stadium.

"I told the girls in the locker room we definitely don't have anything to hang our heads about," SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said. "The effort was there."

The Cougars are now 5-2 at home while Illinois State improved to 7-6-1 with the win. Despite a couple of early chances by the Cougars, it was the Redbirds who struck first.

Kyla Cross took a through ball from Jessica Carlson, and beat SIUE goalkeeper Claire Lovercheck to her left to put Illinois State up 1-0 in the 22nd minute. The Redbirds carried the 1-0 advantage into the half.

Rachel Bostick made it 2-0 in favor of the Redbirds in the 58th minute. The 6-foot, 2-inch Bostick got her head on a corner kick from Carlson for the goal.

Lovercheck made two saves in the defeat.

Hope Jones got the Cougars on the scoreboard in the 79th minute. Devon Thomas was able to intersect a clearing pass from the Redbird defense and play it towards the center of the box. Jones hit a right-foot, half-volley high and to the right of Redbirds' goalkeeper Mara Kremenovic.

"Right before it was played we told Devon to step up," Burton said. "Lo and behold the ball came right back to her. She put it right back in and we get a goal off it."

For the game, both Illinois State and SIUE took 10 shots. The Redbirds outshot the Cougars 7-3 in the first half, before the Cougars turned the table in the second half. The Cougars forced Kremenovic to make seven saves.

The Cougars have a nine-day layoff before playing again. SIUE will travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take on the Kansas Jayhawks Oct. 29.