NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's soccer team (2-4-1) has one more road match before returning to Adelaide Street field after three weeks away. The Redbirds travel to Marquette (7-1-0) Thursday for a 7 p.m. matchup before returning home to host Miami (Ohio) (0-6-0) Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fans can follow along with Marquette via live stats and subscription-required video. The Miami-Ohio game will have live stats and be broadcast on ESPN3. The Redbird Twitter account will also have in-game updates, @Redbird_Soccer.
Marquette – What You Need to Know
The Golden Eagles are on a seven-game win streak, having not lost since their season opener at home against Stanford August 18, where they went down 4-0. Marquette is coming off a 2-1 win against Rhode Island last Sunday. This was the first goal allowed since they defeated Kentucky, 2-1, on August 20 at home. Graduate student Darien Powell leads the team offensively with three goals, four assists and 16 shots, while freshman Kylie Sprecher, redshirt junior Carrie Madden, and senior Eli Beard have two goals each and three, three, and two assists respectively. Sophomore keeper Maddy Henry leads the team between the pipes with 31 saves on the season so far and six goals against, four of which came in the Standford match, and allowing only two goals in the last seven games.
Miami-Ohio – What You Need to Know
The Redhawks are coming off back-to-back 1-0 losses against Illinois at home and Evansville on the road last week. They are currently on a six-game losing streak. Olivia Winnett leads the team offensively with 14 shots and scoring the only goal for the Redhawks this season. Patricia Koutoulas leads the team between the pipes with 29 saves on the season so far.
Last Time Out
The Redbirds fell, 3-0, to IUPUI last Sunday after holding the Jaguars to a scoreless first half. ISU went down quick to start the second half with IUPUI getting back-to-back goals. Jaguars got the first goal of the match in the 53rd minute off a corner kick. They quickly followed with a second goal in the same minute, both by freshman Valentine Pursey, giving them the 2-0 lead. The game changed in the 58th minute when Hayley Shelton got the third goal for IUPUI off a long cross from Krissy Kirkhoff. The Redbirds did not go down without a fight, getting four shots off in the last ten minutes of the match. ISU finished the match with 14 shots to IUPUI's 13. Although, ISU was outnumbered in shots on goal, finishing with three to the Jaguars five.
Promotions
September 17 is Reggie's Kids Club day with Redbird soccer. ISU will take on Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m. with festivities beginning at 12 p.m. with a "Soccer Rocks" painting party. Each child will get the chance to paint and decorate a rock to hide around the field or take home with them. Pictures will be posted to the McLean County Rocks Facebook page and the children are encouraged to use their imagination when decorating! There will be other festivities taking place at halftime.
Participants must register before the event and be a member of Reggie's Kids Club, it is free to register for all kids 12 and under. You can register for RKC here. All children in attendance will receive a free slice of pizza courtesy of Papa John's. To register for Reggie's Kids Club with Redbird soccer, please click here. Registration will close Friday, September 15.
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