Normal, Ill. - Illinois State Soccer is set for a pair of MVC matchups this week. The Redbirds travel to Drake Thursday for a 7 p.m. CT kick off on ESPN3 before returning home to host Belmont Sunday at Noon on ESPN+.
The Redbirds are hosting a free youth soccer clinic for ages 5-12 after Sunday's match against the Bruins. No sign up is needed.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Drake (1-6-4, 0-1-2 MVC) started the season 1-0, but is winless over their last 10 matches.The Bulldogs tied with Missouri State 1-1 and fell to Valparaiso 2-0 over play last week. Junior Emma Nagel leads Drake with three goals on the season, which is tied to lead the MVC.
Belmont (3-2-4, 1-1-1) took down Murray State 2-1 and fell to Southern Illinois 2-0 last week. The Bruins are led by a strong defense this season. Goalkeeper Sarah Doyle has posted a .880 save percentage (1st in MVC) and a .69 goals against average (1st in MVC) this season. The Bruins have five shutouts on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday marks the 25th all-time meeting between Illinois State and Drake.. Illinois State looks to snap a two-game winless streak against the Bulldogs after a 0-0 draw in 2021 and a 1-0 loss in 2020-2021.
The Redbirds are 5-5-2 against Drake in Des Moines. Illinois State's last road win over Drake was back in 2016.
The Redbirds will battle Belmont for the first time since the Bruins rejoined The Valley in July of 22. Belmont was previously an MVC affiliate member for Men's and Women's Soccer in 2000-2001. Illinois State took two wins over Belmont in 2000, including a 2-0 non-conference victory in Nashville and a 4-1 MVC win in Normal.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds host MVC-leader Valparaiso Oct. 6 for a 6 p.m. kick off on ESPN+.
