NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's soccer team (0-1-1) gets on the road Friday, traveling to Saint Louis, Missouri, to face off against Saint Louis (2-0-0) at 5 p.m.  The last time the Redbirds faced the Bilikens in 2013, ISU came away with a 4-1 victory at Adelaide Street Field. Fans unable to attend Friday's match can watch the game via the A-10 Digital Network, follow along with live stats and follow @Redbird_Soccer on Twitter for in-game updates.
ISU will return home Sunday for its annual 'Pack the Pitch' night against Illinois (1-1-0) at Adelaide Street Field at 6 p.m. The Redbirds fell to the Illini last season, 1-0, in Champaign. Fans unable to attend Sunday's match can watch the game live on The Valley on ESPN3 and follow along with live stats. Fans can also follow @Redbird_Soccer on Twitter for in-game updates.
Saint Louis – What You Need to Know
After finishing 14-4-2 in the 2016 season, SLU is now 2-0-0 with two 3-0 victories to start the 2017 campaign, defeating Vanderbilt and Miami (Ohio) last week. Sophomore forward Evie Lavelle was this week's A-10 co-Offensive Player of the Week while freshman Oliva Petit earned the league's Rookie of the Week honors. Lavelle has tallied two goals and an assist on the season so far and Petit has three of the Biliken's six goals this season. SLU finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference for the 2016 season and was tabbed to be the runner-up once again in 2017 in the A-10 preseason polls.
Illinois – What You Need to Know
As the second Big Ten team the Redbirds are facing this season, Illinois is coming off a 2-1 win over DePaul last week and is set to face Washington tonight in Champaign. The Illini has welcomed 10 newcomers to the squad this year, totaling 17 underclassmen, but have returned their top two goal scorers from the 2016 season, junior Patricia George and senior Kara Marbury They were selected to finish 10th in the Big Ten preseason poll with three players garnering preseason honors, Marbury and sophomores Katie Murray and Morgan Maroney.
Promotions
Sunday, August 27, is the annual Pack the Pitch night for Illinois State women's soccer. Fans will attempt to break the attendance record which currently sits at 1,085 from 2012. At halftime of the match, ISU fans will attempt to break the world record for most handshakes given by a mascot in 60 seconds, with the help of ISU mascot Reggie Redbird.
The match will also be a celebration of the 25th anniversary of women's athletics in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team will have all 18 of their championship trophies on display and concession stand specials to help celebrate women's athletics.
There will also be a post-game giveaway of team posters that have been signed by the entire ISU women's soccer team. Standard game promotions also include a t-shirt giveaway for every goal scored by the Redbirds and a sub for a sub, courtesy of Avanti's, where one lucky fan will get a free gondola every time ISU makes a substitution in the match. Red Alert has also designed a Snapchat filter that all fans are encouraged to use while at the match.
Last Time Out
The Redbirds fell to then-No. 23 Northwestern, 3-0, August 20 at Adelaide Street Field. The Redbirds were out-shot in the first half, 10-1, but came out in the second half holding the Wildcats to only eight shots and tallying six of their own. The Wildcats opened scoring in the second half with their first goal in the 55th minute, taking the 1-0 lead. The Redbirds answered with four shots of their own before Northwestern tallied their second goal at the 77-minute mark. Both goals were scored by freshman Madi Kennel. Freshman McKenna Angotti tallied the final goal for the Wildcats in the 83rd minute, to give Northwestern the 3-0 lead with under 10 minutes to play.
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