The Illinois State soccer team will travel south to Florida for the weekend, to take on a pair of non-conference opponents in North Florida and Stetson. Kickoff with the North Florida Ospreys is set for 6 p.m. CT on Friday in Jacksonville. The Redbirds will then shift their focus to Stetson, traveling to DeLand to play the Hatters on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT.
Both contests will be streamed via the opponent's website. Fans can also follow along with live stats or on Twitter (@Redbird_Soccer) for in-game updates.
North Florida – What You Need to Know
The Ospreys currently hold a record of 4-2-1 this season, after being picked to finish seventh in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll. North Florida's last match was a 3-2 overtime loss at home to Air Force. The Ospreys had two early goals in the 11th and 12th minutes and led for a majority of the game until Air Force equalized late with goals in the 75th and 87th minutes. Air Force's golden goal came in the 99th minute to complete the comeback.
Junior Thais Reiss leads the team with seven goals and 14 points on the year. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Rhiannon Conelley owns a 3-2 record in goal this season, compiling 18 saves over six games played.
The 2019 season is head coach Eric Faulconer's first season with the North Florida program. He has spent the past 17 years coaching at the DII level, holding a career record of 240-98-29.
Stetson – What You Need to Know
The Hatters are 2-5 on the season and were picked to finish eighth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll. Stetson's offense has scored 10 goals in seven games played, with freshman forward Maggie Struble posting a team-high four goals.
Three different goalkeepers have spent time in goal for the Hatters. Freshman Lara Bates started in their last game, making five saves while allowing five goals to UCF.
Head coach Chris Bergmann is in his first season with the Stetson women's soccer program. He was previously the women's soccer head coach at VMI (Virginia Military Institute).
Redbirds vs. Ospreys & Hatters
This will be the Illinois State's first meetings ever with North Florida and Stetson. Both teams compete in the ASUN conference.
Last Time Out
An 80th minute goal by senior Kate Del Fava proved the difference, as Illinois State edged Western Illinois 1-0 at home on Sunday afternoon. It was Del Fava's ninth goal of the season and she now ranks second in the nation in total goals scored. Junior Natalie Vaughn-Low assisted on the game winner, bringing her to three points on the weekend and earning her the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week title. Senior goalkeeper Haley Smith posted her second shutout of the season in Sunday's victory.
For all latest on Illinois State soccer, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
