Normal, Ill. – Illinois State soccer (0-0-0, 0-0-0 in MVC) is set to open its season against Indiana (0-0-0, 0-0-0 in Big Ten) on the road Thursday night. The match is slated for 7 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium and will be aired on Big Ten Plus.
Thursday August 17, 2023 | 7 PM CT | Bill Armstrong Stadium | Bloomington, Ind. | Big Ten Plus
Illinois State (0-0-0) vs Indiana (0-0-0)
QUICK KICKS
- Illinois State opens its 28th season Thursday at Indiana which marks the first time to two teams will kick off against eachother.
- Head Coach Marisa Kresge debuts in her second season as the leader of Redbird Soccer, alongside new first-year assistants Aulani Whisler and Jennifer Wandt
- For the third straight season, Illinois State opens its slate on the road. (W, 4-0 vs Eastern Michigan 2021; L, 1-0 vs Illinois, 2022).
- This is the fourth time since 2015 that the Redbirds will open the year with a Big Ten opponent (Ohio State, 2015; Wisconsin, 2016; Illinois, 2022; Indiana, 2022).
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
This is both the season opener and home opener for Indiana who comes off a 3-7-7 (1-7-2 in Big Ten) season in 2022 under four-year Head Coach Erwin van Bennekom who is entering his fifth season. GK Jamie Gerstenberg, D Zoe Tiger, and F Paige Webber were all named to the 2023 Big Ten Women's Soccer Players to Watch List for the Hoosiers.
PREASON SPLIT
The Redbirds split a pair of matches in the pre-season, taking the 3-2 road victory over Purdue Fort Wayne while dropping the second to Illinois, two nil at home.
The Redbirds netted three goals in the victory, two of which came from freshmen. Senior, Haley Glover's goal came in the 24th minute on the assist from Kelsi McLaughlin, while Katie O'Malley and Josie Spann scored within five minutes of one another in the second half to seal the victory.
FRESH FACES
The Redbirds welcomed eight true freshmen to the roster with three new assistant coaches in Whisler, Wandt, and Peyton Willie; who also serves at the program's Director of Operations.
UP NEXT
Following Thursday's match, Illinois State extends its road stay taking on Butler in Indianapolis on Sunday.
To keep up with Illinois State Soccer, follow the team on Twitter @Redbird_Soccer.
