Normal, Ill. - Illinois State Soccer looks to bounce back as the Redbirds take on a pair of of MVC foes this week. The Redbirds host Valparaiso Thursday for a 6 p.m. CT kick off on ESPN+ before traveling to Murray State for their first-ever meeting with the Racers. Kick off on Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN3.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Valparaiso (4-6-2, 3-1-0 MVC) is coming off its first loss in MVC last week after the Beacons fell 1-0 on the road to Missouri State on Sunday. Addy Joiner leads Valpo with three goals this season while goalkeeper Nikki Coryell has posted a 1.05 goals against average.
The Racers (2-7-3, 1-1-2 MVC) are unbeaten over their last three matches, including a 3-1 win over Belmont and 1-1 tie with UIC last week. Mary Hardy, Morgan Bodker and Lauren Payne are tied for a team-high 2 goals this year.
SERIES HISTORY
The Redbirds lead the all-time series with Valpo by a 7-3-0 margin, however the Beacons hold a 3-2-0 edge over Illinois State since becoming an MVC member in 2017. The Beacons handed the Redbirds a 1-0 loss a year ago in Valparaiso.
Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between Illinois State and Murray State. The Racers joined The Valley in July of 2022.
AGAINST KENTUCKY FOES
On Sunday against the Racers, Illinois State will take on an opponent from the state of Kentucky for just the seventh time in program history.
The Redbirds are unbeaten (5-0-1) all-time against opponents from the state of Kentucky, including a 2-0-1 mark inside the Kentucky state lines. Sunday marks Illinois State's first overall meeting against a Kentucky foe since 2013, when the Redbirds advanced over Louisville in the NCAA Tournament, and the first regular-season meeting with a Kentucky opponent since 2012, when Illinois State took down Bowling Green 2-1 on the road.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds travel to Southern Illinois Oct. 16 for a 1 p.m. CT kick off on ESPN+ or ESPN3.
