The Illinois State womens soccer team will have home field advantage this weekend as they do battle with conference foes Southwest Missouri State on Friday afternoon and Drury on Sunday for Senior Day. So far this season the Birds are 3-0-1 at home.
The Birds, 6-4-1 and 1-1 in the Valley will look for two wins this weekend to build on their 1-1 record in the conference. Last weekend, the Birds dropped their conference opener to Indiana State, 2-1, but picked up a win over Evansville, 4-0.
ISU will start off the weekend with a game against the SMS Bears at 3 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field. The Bears, 5-3-2 and 0-1-1 in the Valley, are led by sophomore Kate Hercules last years Freshman of the Year in the Valley and freshman Kate Blair. Hercules has recorded five goals on the season, while Blair has knocked in four. In conference play the Bears have recorded a loss to Drake, 4-0 and a scoreless double over time tie with Creighton.
This weekend we look to continue to play well at home, said head coach Pete Kowall. We played well last weekend, even though we only picked up one win. The league is very competitive this year and will be difficult to win. We just have to play well.
In 2003, the Birds defeated both SMS and Drury. Illinois State overtook SMS, 2-0 with Heather Forsyth and Lauren Kahlenbeck scoring for the Birds. Joyce Kleinheinz knocked in a goal for the Birds in the win over Drury, 1-0.
Drury, 2-8-1 and 0-2 in the Valley, will take on Northern Iowa Friday evening and then travel to Adelaide Street Field to take on the Birds at noon on Sunday. Drake and Creighton have each handed Drury losses in conference play.
Sundays game will be special, as three seniors will be honored for Senior Day. This years seniors are Robyn Brady, Michelle Brumbaugh and Lauren Kahlenbeck.
Robyn, Michelle and Lauren are some of the hardest and most devoted players that have gone through this program, said Kowall. They have helped keep us on the map and have been instrumental in leading the team to bigger and better things.
