Normal, Ill. - Illinois State soccer looks to break into the MVC win column as the Redbirds travel to Southern Illinois Sunday for a 1 p.m. CT kick off at Hartzog Track and Field Complex in Carbondale, Illinois.
Sunday's match will not be live streamed, but fans can follow along on Twitter @Redbird_Soccer for love updates.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
The Salukis (7-3-3, 4-1-2 MVC) are posting their best season in the program's short history. Southern Illinois is riding a four-match unbeaten streak with wins over Evansville, Indiana State and Murray State and a 1-1 draw against UNI.
Emma Spotak leads the Salukis with 3 goals, while three other Southern players have scored two goals on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
The Redbirds have controlled the short series with Southern Illinois, who played its inaugural season of women's soccer in 2019.
Illinois State has taken both contests with the Salukis, including a 2-1 win a year ago at Adelaide Street Field. Katherine Felton netted a 72nd-minute goal to help left Illinois State over Southern Illinois in that contest.
The Redbirds won 3-0 in Carbondale during spring 2021 in the only other meeting with Southern Illinois. Shaina Dudas tallied a goal in the win for the Redbirds.
ASHLEY'S PK
Senior Katharine Ashley recorded her first-career goal in Sunday's loss to Murray State as she stepped in to take a penalty kick in the 36th minute. Ashley buried it in the bottom right corner for the penalty kick goal.
It marked Illinois State's first penalty kick goal since November of 2019, when MVC Player of the year Kate Del Fava put away a PK in a 4-3 MVC Tournament win over Missouri State. The Redbirds had been 0-for-2 on penalty kicks since Del Fava's in 2019.
FIRST TIME SCORERS
Ashley became another Redbird to score their first-career goal this season. Five Redbirds have recorded their first collegiate goal in 2022, a list that includes Leah Crotty, Erica Moline, Kelsi McLaughlin, Hillary Griffin and Ashley.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds travel to Evansville Oct. 20 for their road regular finale against Evansville. Kick off is slated for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
