Redbirds cap non-conference slate with Lindenwood, Western Illinois

Normal Ill. - Illinois State Soccer (0-6-0, 0-0-0 MVC) closes out its 2022 non-conference slate this week as the Redbirds host Lindenwood Thursday at 6 p.m. CT and travel to Western Illinois Sunday for a 1 p.m. CT contest. Thursday's match at Adelaide Street Field is set to air on ESPN+.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS 

Lindenwood is off to a 3-2-1 start in its inaugural season of transition from Division II to Division I. The Lions, one of the newest members of the Ohio Valley Conference, are coming of shutout wins over Division II foes Missouri S&T and William Jewel College last week. 

Western Illinois (0-2-3) is still searching for its first win of the season. The Leathernecks played to a scoreless draw with Milwaukee and suffered a 4-1 setback to Loyola Chicago last week. 

SERIES HISTORY

Thursday marks the first-ever meeting between Lindenwood and Illinois State. 

Illinois State and Western Illinois are set to meet in Macomb for the second straight season. Illinois State fell 4-3 on the road to the Leathernecks last season, snapping a three-game win streak for the Redbirds against Western Illinois. Illinois State has a 6-2-2 edge in the all-time series. 

SPREADING THE WEALTH 

Four different players have scored a goal for the Redbirds this season as Leah Crotty, Haley Glover, Erica Moline and Shaina Dudas each have tallies on the year. In addition, five different Redbirds have recorded an assist on the year. (Hillary Griffin (2), Katherine Felton, Crotty, Glover, Dudas)

Crotty, Glover are Dudas and tied for the team lead with three points this season

MILESTONES LAST WEEK

Junior Erica Moline and Graduate Student Shaina Dudas both netted goals in Illinois State's 3-2 loss to Milwaukee last week. 

For Moline, the 45th-minute score the was first goal of her collegiate career. 

Dudas, who scored in the 82nd minute, was honored prior to the game as Illinois State celebrated Senior Day.  It was the sixth goal of her career and her first score in 35 games, a streak that dated back to April during the 2021 spring season. 

UP NEXT 

The Redbirds kick off MVC play with a trip to UIC Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. CT.