NORMAL, Ill. - Fresh off a pair of conference wins last weekend, the Illinois State women's soccer team has just one game on the schedule this weekend, but it is one of the season's key games. The Redbirds (7-4-1, 3-0-0 MVC) host Evansville (9-2-2, 2-0-1) on Sunday, Oct. 21, in what could be a battle for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference. After going through the first half of their Valley schedule undefeated and with three conference games left, two of which are at home, the Redbirds are in prime position to claim a high seed in the Valley Tournament in November.
The Redbirds outscored Northern Iowa and Creighton by a combined score of 5-1 to pick up their two wins last weekend. Senior Yvonne Northover led the offensive charge with a pair of goals in each game, earning her the Brine MVC Offensive Player of the Week award. Her for goals were the most a Redbird has had in a two-game stretch this season. ISU has won four of the seven offensive player of the week awards this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Grill-Donovan has allowed just three goals in her last four games and has recorded two shutouts.
Evansville was scheduled to host Drake on Thursday, Oct. 18, but lightning in the area postponed the game to Friday afternoon. With a win, the Purple Aces will remain the only MVC team without a conference loss, along with the Redbirds. Evansville played Northern Iowa to a scoreless draw in its first Valley game and beat Indiana State and Missouri State last weekend. The second-ranked scoring team in the Valley, Evansville has struggled some in conference games, scoring just three goals. Junior Kayla Lambert leads the MVC in points (18) and goals (8) in all games. Senior Kaitlynn Radtke leads the team with four assists.
Illinois State leads the all-time series with Evansville, 6-5-2. The Redbirds have won five of the last seven meetings, including four-straight until a 2-0 loss at Evansville last year. ISU is 4-1-1 against Evansville in Normal.
