The Illinois State womens soccer team opens its 2002 regular season Friday at 4 p.m. against Eastern Illinois University at Adelaide Street Field.
Despite the Redbirds 0-1-1 record in its two preseason exhibition games this season, head coach Pete Kowall is looking forward to getting the 2002 season under way.
The exhibition games were positive experiences for us, said Kowall. The games gave us a good idea of where we were at and where we needed to go.
Eastern Illinois is a good team to start the season against, because they are physical and well-coached, added Kowall. They did well last year and went to the national tournament. It is still too early in the season, but the game against Eastern will give us a good idea of what we need to do this season.
The Redbirds opened last season with a 5-0 win over Northern Illinois. The Redbirds went on to win the 2001 Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship and were voted No. 1 in the 2002 preseason Valley coaches poll to win the regular season title outright. Last season, the Redbird record was 13-5-0.
The Panthers were the 2001 Ohio Valley Conference champions and were voted No. 1 by OVC coaches to win the championship in 2002. Last season, the Panthers earned a bid to the NCAA tournament and had a final record of 14-6-0.
The Redbirds return 10 starters and 16 letterwinners, including Annie Wayland, the 2001 Valley Player of the Year and all-time Valley career goals leader. Also returning is Chrystal Johnston, a 2001 Valley first team selection and NSCAA Great Lakes Region Second Team selection.
