Oct. 26, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Not only is the Illinois State women's soccer team looking to advance to the semifinals of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference with a win over Indiana State in Sunday's first round, play-in game, but the Redbirds are looking for a bit of payback after last week's devastating double-overtime loss to the Sycamores. But before the `Birds focus on Sunday's high-stakes match, the team will travel to Charleston, Ill., on Thursday to take on Eastern Illinois in the team's final regular season game.
Before the Redbirds look ahead to Sunday and their chances at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference tournament, they must meet the Panthers in a 2 p.m. contest at Lantz Arena. The `Birds lead the series between the schools 5-3, and in 2004, the Redbirds downed Eastern Illinois 3-1 in Charleston.
Sunday's play-in game between Illinois State and Indiana State will mark the first time in league history that the two teams have met in the conference tournament. Illinois State has had much more tournament experience than their Indiana counterpart, as the Redbirds own a 3-7-4 record, while the Sycamores are just 1-3 in Valley tournament play.
The winner of Sunday's game between Illinois State and Indiana State advances to the semifinals of the State Farm MVC women's soccer tournament. In the last matchup between the two teams, just over a week ago, the Sycamores downed the `Birds in double-overtime, 3-2. The Redbirds hope to capitalize on their homefield advantage, winning the game and advancing to the big show in Omaha, Neb.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall feels the anticipation around the game mounting as Sunday's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference play-in game gets closer.
"Obviously we are looking forward to the home game on Sunday for many reasons," said Kowall. "We're looking forward to get back the result from last Friday's game, as well as advancing to Omaha. In order to come away with the win we need to play better defensively and come out strong. Indiana State is a very good team with two very good forwards. It will be a great prize to get to the tournament and beating Indiana State in order to get there will be a big challenge."
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