NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer has unveiled its schedule for the 2025 season, head coach Raleigh DeRose's second year at the helm of the program. The slate features 11 games on Adelaide Street Field, including five Missouri Valley Conference contests.
"I am excited about the opportunities the 2025 schedule presents to our team," DeRose said. "Each unique opponent gives us the platform to challenge ourselves in a highly competitive environment. Additionally, both our home and away non-conference schedule provide our group with experiences that make them better on the field as soccer players and competitors as we prepare for our MVC play."
The Redbirds will prepare for the 2025 campaign with a Red & White scrimmage Aug. 6 on Adelaide Street Field, before traveling to Southern Indiana for an exhibition contest Aug. 9.
Illinois State's 2025 campaign kicks off at home Aug. 14 vs Lindenwood. Big Ten foe Northwestern is then set to visit Normal for the second straight season as the Redbirds host the Wildcats Aug. 17.
The Redbirds will open a two-game road swing at Butler Aug. 21 and Green Bay Aug. 23, before returning home for an in-state battle with Western Illinois Aug. 28. Illinois State then hits the road to take on UT-Martin Aug. 31 in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
IU-Indy visits Adelaide Street Field Sep. 4, then Illinois State hosts in-state foes Loyola Chicago Sep. 7 and Eastern Illinois Sep. 11. The 2025 non-conference slate closes Sep. 14 at 2024 NCAA Second-Round participant Saint Louis.
Illinois State is set to take on a 10-game MVC slate this season, with home games Sep. 18 vs Murray State, Sep. 28 vs Southern Illinois, Oct. 5 vs Evansville, Oct. 19 vs UIC and Oct. 23 vs Drake. The Redbirds hit the road in Valley play Sep. 25 at Valparaiso, Oct. 11 at UNI, Oct. 26 at Indiana State, and Oct. 30 at Belmont.
"Overall, I believe this team, comprised of talented and resilient players, is also looking forward to the opportunities this season holds," DeRose said. "Each time they step on the field together for ISU, they compete for themselves, one another, and the university with passion."
DeRose and the Redbirds will look to build off a solid foundation built in 2024, her first season at the helm of the program. The Redbirds earned the program's first trip to the MVC Tournament since 2021 and took down No.6 UNI 1-0 to become the first No.7 seed to ever win at the MVC women's soccer tournament. Illinois State returns more than 60 percent of the team's goal scoring from a season ago, including leading scorer and All-MVC Freshman team selection Eiley Henderson.
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