NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer head coach Eric Golz has announced the team's spring exhibition schedule beginning in February and running through April. The schedule features four games and one tournament for the Redbirds.
"We are excited about our spring schedule," said Golz. "It is one that will certainly challenge us and stretch us to continue to grow as a team. It is a schedule that provides variety in terms of the different levels of opponents, but all of the collegiate teams are coming off of very successful fall campaigns with all of them competing for league championships. The standard for all of these teams is to be competing in the NCAA tournament, so they will provide a good measuring stick for our team. We will learn a lot about ourselves this spring."
The Redbirds begin the spring slate at the University of Illinois 7v7 Tournament Feb. 27. The one-day event features four games and ISU begins the day at 9 a.m. against Western Kentucky. The Redbirds finish the day with matches against Indiana State, Indiana and Illinois.
On March 18, ISU will travel north to the Oak Brook Soccer Complex to take on the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars at 7 p.m. Former Redbird standout Rachel Tejada was drafted by the Red Stars in the 2015 draft and Chicago finished second in the NWSL during the 2015 season.
"We are also excited to compete against the Chicago Red Stars," said Golz. "They are one of the best professional teams in the country coming off of a fantastic 2015 NWSL season, and will feature some of the best players both domestically and internationally."
ISU closes the spring with three home matches in the month of April. On April 2 the Redbirds welcome Butler to town for a 5:30 p.m. match. The Bulldogs won the Big East Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Washington University (MO) will visit Normal on April 9 after a national runner-up finish in Division III, and the Redbirds finish the exhibition season with a 6 p.m. match against St. Louis on April 23.
Admission to all home spring matches will be free.
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