Sept. 1, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
After hosting two games during their opening weekend, the Illinois State women's soccer team hits the road, traveling to Muncie, Ind., to take on Ball State, Friday, and then to Saint Louis, Sunday, for the second match of the weekend against the Billikens.
Friday's game between the Cardinals and the Redbirds will begin at 4 p.m. at Ball State's Soccer Field. Competing during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, and again last season, the Redbirds boast an undefeated 3-0 record against Ball State. Last year, the Redbirds hosted the Cardinals and defeated them in Normal, Ill., 1-0.
Ball State enters Friday's game against the `Birds with a perfect 2-0 record, defeating both Butler and Missouri Valley Conference competitor, Indiana State, in their opening weekend.
Illinois State's second matchup of the upcoming weekend will be played at Saint Louis' Robert H. Hermann Stadium at 1 p.m. The Billikens, who play Southeast Missouri State on Friday, enter Sunday's contest with a 1-1 record, falling to Oklahoma on August 26, and then posting a win over Rice on August 28.
This will be the third meeting between Saint Louis and Illinois State. The Redbirds lead the series with the Billikens, 1-0-1. Illinois State tallied the series' lone win last season with a 2-1 victory. The two teams met in Illinois State's inaugural season, 1996, and tied, 2-2.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall is excited about this weekend's games, seeing both matches as an opportunity for his team to improve.
"We will face two good teams this weekend," said Kowall. "Ball State and St. Louis are two of the better teams on our schedule. They were very good opponents last year and will continue to be good programs this year. Both Ball State and Saint Louis are well coached and very talented, all-around teams. Our nonconference slate is very competitive and every game promises a challenge. Both teams will be very much like the opponents we play in our league schedule. This weekend will be a great early challenge for Illinois State soccer.
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