NORMAL, Ill. - After playing four-straight road games, the Illinois State women's soccer team is set to return home to face SIU-Edwardsville Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field. Wednesday's match marks the first meeting between the Cougars and the Redbirds in program history.
"In midweek games during conference season, I want the players to find just a good rhythm," said head coach Drew Roff. "We want to play well in order to come into Sunday's game against Creighton feeling good. This game is another opportunity of us to improve and work on concern things. At this time of year, our focus in on conference play, but at the same time, we want to play well and score some goals. Consistency is our focus as a team."
Illinois State is 5-5-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference this season after it opened up its MVC season with a 4-2 win over Indiana State Saturday (Oct. 3), marking its third-straight win.
The Redbird offense scored three goals in just five minutes during the first half against the Sycamores including two from MVC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 5) Alyssa Schulz. Schulz now ranks second on the team in points with eight. Jessica Carlson leads the team in points with 10.
The Redbirds will be looking to score early goals against the Cougars, as the Redbirds are undefeated, 5-0-0, then they score first.
"Lately, we have been able to get that early goal," said Roff. "When we are playing with a lead, we can kind of control the tempo of the game and keep pressure on the other team. The early goal has been crucial to our success this season."
The Redbirds are also undefeated at home this season, going 2-0-0.
SIU-Edwardsville has yet to tally in the win column this season. The Cougars are 0-7-1 overall and are coming off a tie game against McKendree (Oct. 2). Chelsey Johnston leads the Cougars in points with four on the season.
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