NORMAL, Ill. - After a draw and a loss last weekend, the Illinois State soccer team will continue Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday evening in Evansville, Ind. The Redbirds will travel to McCutchan Stadium for a key matchup with the Purple Aces beginning at 5 p.m.
ISU enters the contest with a 5-6-1 overall record and an even 1-1-1 mark in the Valley. Last weekend, Illinois State suffered 1-0 setback to Northern Iowa, marking the first home conference loss for the Redbirds since the 2006 season. ISU completed the weekend with a 0-0 tie against Missouri State and currently sits third in the conference standings behind Creighton and Missouri State.
"In Sunday's game, we came out with more intensity and purpose and definitely outplayed Missouri State," head coach Drew Roff said. "The only negative was that we couldn't put the ball away. That has been something that we have dealt with for a while now, but there were a lot of good things to build on. This game on Saturday is an opportunity to work on the things that helped us to be successful on Sunday. We just need to cash in."
Illinois State combined to outshoot UNI and Missouri State by a 51-15 margin, including a 14-1 advantage in the two overtime periods with the Bears. However, the scoring woes continued for Redbirds, as they failed to score a goal for the fifth time in their last six games. ISU is seeking its fourth-consecutive MVC regular-season title, but last weekend's results have made that goal much more difficult.
"As far as the conference title goes, we are just focusing on what we can control," Roff said. "It would be great to finish in the top two so we can get that bye and avoid the play-in game, but we really just know that we need to take care of business. It we continue to play the way we have been playing lately, I think we should be in good shape on Saturday. Our players understand that every conference game means something and we are ready to turn the corner. Hopefully Saturday is the day that gets us on track."
Evansville enters Saturday's match with an overall record of 3-8-1 and a 0-2-0 MVC record. The Purple Aces were tabbed fourth in the MVC Preseason Coaches' Poll and have lost conference games to Creighton and Drake. Breanna Beine leads UE with three goals and seven points, but six other Purple Aces have recorded at least one goal this season. Kasey Cartwright has netted a pair of goals and has taken a team-high 20 shots. Goalkeeper Chaviel Harrison leads the Evansville defense with 74 saves and a 1.63 goals against average.
"Evansville hasn't had a lot of home games this year and has played a tough road schedule," Roff said. "Being at home, I know they are going to be fired up to play us, they always are, and just like us, they are struggling to score goals and one game can change everything. Just as we are looking at this game as a turning point in our season, I'm sure they are looking at this game in the same way. If they were to get a result Saturday, they would feel like they are headed into the homestretch with a lot of confidence. I expect them to be a very difficult team and I think the major difference will be who can score an early goal."
Saturday's game in Evansville will mark the 17th meeting between Illinois State and UE. The Redbirds hold a narrow 7-6-3 advantage in the all-time series and won last year's contest, 4-0, in Normal, Ill.
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