In the midst of a seven-game winning streak, the Illinois State soccer team squares off against No. 23 Oakland Friday at 3 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field.
The battle will put the Missouri Valley Conference champion Redbirds (11-3) against the Mid-Continent Conference champion Golden Grizzlies (13-2-1).
They are a very good team all-around, Redbird head coach Pete Kowall said. Theyve played some good teams and have done well this year. They are fairly similar to Evansville and we are used to that kind of game.
Last weekend the Birds were forced into overtime twice. Friday against Indiana State, Annie Wayland scored the game-winner nearly five minutes into overtime for the lone goal of the game. On Sunday, the Redbirds sealed the regular season conference championship as Diana Puckett sent a cross pass off an Evansville defender in the second overtime for the 2-1 victory.
Oakland played to a scoreless tie last Friday afternoon against Michigan before defeating Michigan State, 2-1, on Sunday.
The Golden Grizzlies are ranked No. 2 in the Great Lakes Region behind Notre Dame. Illinois States Sunday opponent, Illinois, is No. 6 in the region.
