NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State soccer team has released its 2018 fall schedule, head coach Brad Silvey announced Thursday. Silvey is entering his second season at the helm of the Redbirds after finishing his inaugural season with an overall record of 9-9-2 and 3-4-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
"We are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities we will face within our 2018 schedule. We have a very exciting and diverse non-conference schedule, including a heavy road-swing to start the season. This will undoubtedly serve us well in preparation for our MVC matchups. Coming out of a successful spring season where we saw a lot of growth, I know we have a very talented, committed and motivated group that is ready to move our program forward."
Travel is the name of the game for ISU this fall as they have a seven-game road stretch throughout August and September spanning four states. ISU will open the season at home against CSU-Northridge August 16 followed by Eastern Michigan on the 19th before beginning their trek. The Redbirds tied Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, 1-1, last season and this is the first time the Redbird will face off against the Matadors. August 24 they will travel to Oklahoma and face the Sooners followed by the Golden Hurricanes of Tulsa on August 26. They will close out the month at Miami-Ohio on August 31.
The Redbirds will begin September back in Illinois when they travel to Chicago September 2 to face UIC. They will then head to Wisconsin September 6 to take on the Badgers. ISU defeated UIC at home last season, 4-1, and lost to Wisconsin, 1-0, at their last meeting in 2016. The Redbirds will continue on the road September 9 at Illinois, after defeating the Fighting Illini, 2-0, last season on Adelaide Street Field. The final match of the road swing will be September 14 when the Redbirds take on Toledo. They will be back at home for the next three matches, hosting Omaha September 16, Western Illinois September 19, and opening conference play against Missouri State September 22. ISU defeated Western Illinois in Macomb, 1-0, last season. They will close out September on the road against Drake on the 29th.
October will begin with the final non-conference match up for the Redbirds, hosting IUPUI on the 1st, followed by a home conference contest against Valparaiso October 7. ISU will get back on the road to take on Loyola October 13 in Chicago and welcome Indiana State October 17. The final road trip of the regular season will take the Redbirds to Evansville where they will face the Purple Aces October 21. The 2018 regular season will conclude at home on October 25 against Northern Iowa.
For the complete schedule, click here.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
