Aug. 16, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Competing in three pre-season matches before the start of a regular season campaign is a rarity for the Illinois State women's soccer team. This will be the case this week, however, as the Redbirds travel to Butler Wednesday to play their second scrimmage, and return to Adelaide Street Field on Saturday to host the Fox Valley Strikers to wrap up pre-season play.
Coming off a loss to Eclipse Select on Sunday the `Birds head to Indianapolis Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game against the Bulldogs. Competing in the Horizon League, Butler finished the 2004 season with a 7-10-2 overall record, and a 4-3 conference record to finish third in the league. The team boasts 18 returning letterwinners, seven of which return as starters.
The first meeting between the `Bulldogs and the Redbirds was in 1999, with the last meeting in 2002. Illinois State has been evenly matched with Butler in the past, with the series tied at 2-2.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall is looking for the mid-week scrimmage to help his team to improve upon Sunday's showing.
"Butler is a very good team that competes in a strong league," said Kowall. "They will be strong competition for us, and we are looking forward to the challenge Butler promises. We have some things we saw on Sunday that we would like to develop, and we will use this scrimmage to do just that."
To finish pre-season competition, Illinois State will host the Fox Valley Strikers Saturday at noon. A St. Charles, Ill., based organization, the Fox Valley Strikers are a soccer club that boasts several young, talented athletes.
Kowall anticipates a solid scrimmage on Saturday to wrap up the Redbirds 2005 pre-season.
"The Strikers are a good team that has many great young players," said Kowall. "They are a well-coached team and the game will be a great way to finish our scrimmages. Basically, Saturday sets the tone for the regular season to come."
A developmental clinic for boys and girls in the eighth grade and younger is being held in conjunction with the Redbird's final scrimmage on Saturday. With the $10 registration fee, clinic participants will be able to watch the scrimmage before receiving instruction from the Illinois State soccer staff and team members.
For more information on the Redbird Developmental Soccer Clinic or the Illinois State women's soccer team, visit GoRedbirds.com.
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