NORMAL, Ill. - Things have started off well for new Illinois State women's soccer coach Drew Roff in his first season. The Redbirds are undefeated, sitting atop the Valley standings and have only given up one goal all season while scoring seven. They look to carry that momentum into this weekend when the `Birds visit Western Illinois on Friday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m. and host Morehead State on Sunday, Sept. 16, at noon. Sunday's game will be the first ever between Illinois State and Morehead State and can be seen live on Redbirds All-Access
Wonderful World of Wisniewski
Sophomore forward Ammanda Wisniewski entered the scoring column in a big way against Central Michigan. After not registering a point and taking only two shots in the first two games, Wisniewski recorded the fourth hat trick in school history in a 3-0 victory over the Chippewas. She needed only four shots to tally the three goals, one in the first half and two in the second. She tied the school record for goals (three) and points (six) in a game.
Fitting Right In
Coming into the season, perhaps the biggest question facing new head coach Drew Roff was who his starting goalkeeper would be. With the graduation of Andrea Shaw, a three-year starter who is in the top-three in many categories of the school record book, Roff was left with a sophomore with little collegiate experience and a freshman. Fortunately, the sophomore is turning out to be a solid replacement. Katie Grill-Donovan earned the starting position after summer training and isn't showing any signs of faltering. In her first three starts, Grill-Donovan has posted three wins, two by shutout, and allowed just one goal. She leads the Valley in goals against average (0.33) and save percentage (.909). In her last outing against Central Michigan, she posted a career-high eight saves.
Scouting the Westerwinds
Western Illinois is off to a 3-1-0 start in 2007. Senior defender Robyn Ruypers is tied for the top spot on the Western Illinois career goals list with 19. She is also three points shy of taking over the all-time lead in that category. Ruypers leads the Westerwinds in assists (two) and points (six) and is second in goals (two). She is tied for second in The Summit League in points.
Scouting the Eagles
Morehead State, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, is 1-1 in the early-going of the season. Senior forward Rebekah Kendall has scored in both Morehead State games this year and leads the team with two goals. She is seven goals away from becoming the school's all-time leader in goals. Junior Leslie King has started both games in goal for the Eagles. She has made 12 saves and allowed three goals. Junior Samantha Yocke also saw some time between the pipes against Miami, allowing 2 goals.
