NORMAL, Ill. – Fresh off a solid weekend showing against Southeast Missouri State and Baylor, the Illinois State soccer team is now tasked with a pair of one-loss teams from the Mid-American Conference. The Redbirds host Western Michigan Friday at 4 p.m. and then travel to Miami (OH) for a noon kickoff Sunday.
ISU has faced a difficult nonconference schedule this season, but took its record two games above .500 with a pair of wins last weekend. It doesn't get any easier this weekend as the Redbirds face two stingy defenses.
Western Michigan enters the match 5-1 and has shut out its opponents in all five victories. The Broncos haven't needed much offense, as they have won three games in which they netted only one goal. Â
This will be the third meeting between the two teams and Western Michigan owns a pair of victories, including a 2-1 win in 2012. The two also played in each other in 2011 and the Broncos were victorious 1-0.
Miami is very much the same team on paper having won four out of five matches this season. Twice the Redhawks have scored one goal and won the match, including a 1-0 victory over Purdue to open the season. The Redhawks also defeated Louisville 2-1 on Sept. 7.
Miami has scored eight goals while allowing just four. This is the second time the two teams will meet with ISU winning last year's match 3-2.
The two defenses will meet the high-powered Redbird attack that is led by Rachel Tejada and Hannah Leinert. Tejada is tied for the all-time program record with 59 career goals and scored the game-winner in overtime against Baylor. Leinert assisted on the game-winner and has three goals and four assists this season.
ISU has scored 21 goals this season while allowing 14.
Kickoff Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field. Sunday's match kicks off at noon in Oxford, Ohio. Both games can be heard live on GoRedbirds.com and you can follow the Redbirds on Twitter @ISU_Soccer.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
