NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's soccer program will open its 2025 campaign with its Red & White Scrimmage on Wednesday evening at Adelaide Street Field. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.
The Red & White Scrimmage will serve as a preview for head coach Raleigh DeRose's second-year squad before the start of the season.Â
In 2024, the Redbirds built a solid foundation in DeRose's first year at the helm of the program. Illinois State earned its first trip to the MVC Tournament since 2021 and upset No. 6 seed UNI 1-0 to become the first-ever No. 7 seed to ever win at the conference tournament.Â
Illinois State returns more than 60 percent of the team's goal scoring from a season ago, including the team's leading scorer and All-MVC Freshman team selection Eiley Henderson. Alongside Henderson, the Redbirds return Junior Erika Wells, who led Illinois State with five assists.Â
Between the sticks, Sophomore Madi Valenti returns for the Redbirds, after an impressive freshman campaign where she tallied the most shutouts for a Redbird since 2019, including the first postseason shutout since 2018.
The intra-squad scrimmage will also be a first look at 11 newcomers, including three transfers in their first appearance as Redbirds from head coach Raleigh DeRose's first recruiting class.
DeRose also made new additions to her coaching staff in the offseason. Peyton Willie was promoted to assistant coach following her two-year stint serving as a graduate assistant. Kurt Albrecht and Ethan Fineman will join DeRose on the touchline as assistant coaches in their first seasons with the Redbirds after being hired in the offseason.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos, and more.Â
