The Missouri Valley Conference champion Illinois State soccer team opens the indoor portion of its season Saturday at the Illinois Indoor Tournament.
The tournament features a mix of college teams as well as several top high school club teams. The Birds face GSC Fury, FC Milwaukee, Carmel, Elmhurst College and Dayton in the 7v7 tournament consiting of two 15 minute halves. Dayton advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament during the fall before bowing out to No. 3 UCLA, 3-1.
Valley Coach of the Year Pete Kowall views the spring season as a way to develop individual skills and focus on the technical aspects of the game.
The spring is a non-competitive season and you have five dates to play as many games as youd like, Kowall said. It is a nice way to get the players returning for next year some playing time and to try some things out for next season.
Play begins at 8 a.m. at the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility and continues throughout the day.
