NORMAL, Ill. - With a win over Indiana State in the conference opener, Illinois State was the first and only team to win a game in the opening weekend of Missouri Valley Conference women's soccer play. The Redbirds (5-4-1, 1-0-0 MVC) have an early claim to first place heading into this weekend with two conference match ups on the slate. ISU visits Northern Iowa (4-5-2, 0-1-0 MVC) for its first night game on Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. The Redbirds return home for their first game at Adelaide Street Field in three weeks against Creighton (6-5-1, 1-0-1 MVC) on Sunday, Oct. 14, at noon.
As the Redbirds move into October, each game becomes more important. Of the six games remaining on their schedule, five of them are against Valley opponents.. Last season, ISU was beaten by Northern Iowa and Creighton, both by scores of 1-0, for the first time in one season. The loss to Northern Iowa was the first-ever for the Redbirds, who had won the first seven meetings with the Panthers by a combined score of 19-1. Illinois State and Creighton have split the last two games in the series, with each team winning on its home field.
Sunday's home game is a part of Homecoming Weekend at Illinois State and is special for many reasons. It is Heidecke Alumni Day, where former Illinois State soccer players return to celebrate the program and commemorate a former teammate. Julie Heidecke was a Redbird soccer player who died tragically in an automobile accident in 1998. Former Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall, the Julie Heidecke Foundation and Redbird Athletics placed a tree and commemorative plaque at the entrance to Adelaide Street Field that the Redbirds touch before each game. Each year, an ISU soccer player who exhibits commitment, spirit, determination, leadership, sportsmanship, academics, morality and concern for others is presented with the Heidecke Memorial Award.
Sunday's game is also Youth Soccer Day, when any youth soccer player who wears his or her jersey will receive free admission.
Creighton is coming off a stunning upset of Drake on Thursday, Oct. 11. After giving up an own goal, the Bluejays scored two unanswered goals it the first half and held off the Bulldogs for a 2-1 win. The win not only snapped Creighton's three-game winless streak, it also snapped Drake's 18-game conference unbeaten streak that dates back to 2003. Junior forward Marcy Gans leads the team in goals (5), assists (2) and points (12). Creighton is third in the conference in assists and has six players with two helpers on the year.
Northern Iowa has the reigning Brine MVC Defensive Player of the Week in senior goalkeeper Heidi O'Mara, who had 155 shutout minutes in two games last weekend, including a scoreless tie with Evansville in the conference opener. O'Mara has 52 saves and three shutouts this season, putting her in the top-four in the Valley in both categories. Freshman Chelsie Hochstedle is currently second in the Valley in both goals (6) and points (12).
