CHICAGO – The Illinois State soccer team returned from Texas with a pair of firsts for the season. The Redbirds picked up their first shutout in a 4-0 defeat of Sam Houston State, but they also lost for the first time to No. 7 Texas A&M. With a 3-1 record, the slate of games this week gives ISU multiple chances to get a statement win.
Tonight the Redbirds are at DePaul for a 4 p.m. kickoff against the Blue Demons. After an opening weekend win over Nebraska, DePaul put themselves on the map and into the rankings. Depending on which poll is taken into account, the Blue Demons are ranked in the Top 25 or just outside of it. DePaul brings an undefeated 4-0 record into the match tonight and is fresh off a 4-2 victory over Loyola Maryland.
ISU suffered its first loss of the season Sunday to a very talented Texas A&M team. The Redbirds went to the half tied with the No. 7 team in the nation, but the Aggies came out of the gates strong in the second half and put to bed any upset hopes. The first half performance of ISU may have caught some eyes around the nation, but today they will look to put together a full 90 minutes of quality soccer against a ranked opponent.
If beating DePaul is an aspiration, then stopping forward, Abby Reed, is a must. Reed leads the Blue Demons with five goals, including two in the first 15 minutes against Loyola Maryland.
For the Redbirds, Texas revealed some nice surprises, with Kelli Zickert scoring her first collegiate goal and dishing out her first assist. Keri Kujawa also got in on the act by netting her first two goals of the season.
ISU will look to get back on track tonight. To gain respect they will have to beat the respected and the Redbirds have a chance to do so tonight at 4 p.m. A live audio broadcast can be heard on GoRedbirds.com.
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