Normal, Ill. - Illinois State soccer opens a three-game homestand at Adelaide Street Field this week as the Redbirds host Eastern Illinois Thursday at 6 PM CT on ESPN+. The Redbirds close the week Sunday with a Senior Day contest against Milwaukee at 1 PM CT on ESPN3.
SENIOR DAY
Illinois State is set to honor seven Redbirds on Senior Day against the Panthers. Katharine Ashley, Katelynn Buescher, Allison Baker, Shaina Dudas, Katherine Felton, Michaela Kirschten and Sarah Ochitwa will all be celebrated with a ceremony prior to the game.
Illinois State's 2022 Senior Day honorees have combined to start 111 games for the Redbirds over their careers.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Eastern Illinois (1-0-3, 0-0-0 OVC) remains unbeaten heading into Thursday's contest. The Panthers are riding a program-record four-match shutout streak to open the year. Eastern Illinois has earned scoreless results with MVC foes Valparaiso, Indiana State and UIC this season. The Panthers took down Purdue Fort Wayne 2-0 on Aug. 21.
Daniela Bermeo is already a two-time OVC Goalkeeper of the Week this year while Zoe Paxton is the reigning OVC Defender of the Week for Eastern Illinois.
After shutouts wins over Milwaukee and Lindenwoon, Milwaukee (2-1-0, 0-0-0 Horizon) is riding a two-game win streak under new head coach Kevin Boyd. Sophomore Kaya Rollins scored both goals in the 2-0 win over the Lions and earned Horizon League Player of the Week honors.
The Panthers were a Spring and Fall NCAA Tournament Second Round team in 2021.
TAMING THE PANTHERS
Coincidentally, Eastern Illinois and Milwaukee both go by the "Panthers" moniker. Illinois State plays host to three foes with the "Panther" nickname in the month of September as Northern Iowa will travel to Adelaide Street Field Sep. 22.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State's series with Eastern Illinois and Milwaukee both date back to 1996.
Thursday marks the 16th all-time meeting with Eastern Illinois and the fourth straight at Adelaide Street Field. The Redbirds have won 10 of the last 11 meetings with Eastern Illinois and lead the all-time series 10-4-0.
Milwaukee holds a 10-4-2 advantage all-time against the Redbirds, including a 2-0 home win a year ago. All but one of Illinois State's wins over Milwaukee have come at home.
FIRST GOAL OF 2022
Freshman Leah Crotty tallied the first goal of the year for the Redbirds in a 2-1 loss to Utah State Aug. 25. The 42nd-minute goal was a rocket from the penalty arc that leveled the match at halftime. The goal was an all-freshman affair as Hillary Griffin was awarded an assist.
Crotty is the first Illinois State freshman to score a goal since current Redbird Katherine Felton scored against Illinois back in September of 2019.
UP NEXT
Lindenwood comes to town Sept. 8 as the Redbirds close their non-conference home slate against the Lions at 6 PM on ESPN3 or ESPN+.
