Head coach Pete Kowall and the Illinois State womens soccer team return to action this weekend with two non-conference match-ups. On Friday, October 25, the Redbirds travel to Indianapolis, Ind., to take on Butler, and return home for the final home game of the 2002 season, Sunday, versus Big Ten opponent, Illinois, for a noon game at Adelaide Street Field.
The Bulldogs lead the Redbirds in the overall series 2-1, including last years Butler win over Illinois State, 2-1. The Redbirds are coming off a double-win weekend with wins over Evansville and Indiana State, while the Bulldogs split last weekend with a win over Wisconsin-Green Bay and a loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Butler has an overall record of 10-3-0.
Butler beat us last year, and they are going to be a tough team to beat, said Kowall. They are a talented team that moves the ball well.
The Redbirds will be relying on their stellar defense, which ranks No. 10 in NCAA Division I womens soccer for goals against average (.560), to combat the scoring efforts of Butler and Illinois.
Illinois record (6-9-0) does not reflect how good they really are, said Kowall. They are one of the better teams on our schedule, and though the team is young and under the instruction of a new coach, they are starting to win now.
The Fighting Illini lead the series with the Redbirds, 3-1, and once again the Redbird defense will be looked upon to shut down Tara Hurless, who leads Illinois with ten goals on the season.
Before Sundays game, seniors Melissa Colthrust, Lynley Hilligoss, Annie Wayland and Ty Winkelhake will be honored for their dedication to Illinois State soccer as they walk onto Adelaide Street Field for their final home competition as Redbirds.
Illinois States record stands at 11-2-1 overall, and its Missouri Valley Conference record is complete at 5-1-1.
