Normal, Ill. – Illinois State Soccer (0-1-0 , 0-0-0 MVC) makes its 2022 Adelaide Street Field debut Sunday as the Redbirds host Eastern Michigan (0-0-1, 0-0-0 in MAC) for a 1 pm kickoff on ESPN+.
Sunday August 21, 2022 | 1 PM CT | Adelaide Street Field | Normal, Ill. | ESPN+
Illinois State (0-1-0, 0-0-0 in MVC) vs Eastern Michigan (0-0-1, 0-0-0 in MAC)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Eastern Michigan is coming off a 2-2 draw with Western Illinois on Thursday night to open its 2022 campaign. Vittoria Greco and Maddie O’Farrell netted goals in the home result for Eastern.
The Eagles, who are led by 24th-year head coach Scott Hall, were picked tenth in the Preseason MAC Coaches Poll. Eastern Michigan posted a 2-13-3 (1-8-2 in the MAC) record a year ago.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State is unbeaten over its last six meetings with the Eagles, including a 4-0 road win over Eastern Michigan last season. Sunday marks the 10th all-time meeting in a series that Illinois State leads by a 5-2-2 margin.
The last two matchups in the series have been shutout wins for Illinois State. (4-0 in 2021, 1-0 in 2018)
SEASON OPENER
Illinois State suffered a 1-0 loss to Illinois Thursday night in the season opener for the Redbirds. Illinois State held Illinois scoreless for 84 minutes thanks to a strong performance from the back line and big saves from goalkeepers Audrey Brown and Daniela Grgas.
Illinois held a 19-4 advantage in the shot count and eventually broke through in the 85th minute with an opportunity off a rebound.
YOUNG INFLUX
Five Illinois State players appeared in their first collegiate match Thursday in Champaign, including three Redbirds who cracked the starting lineup. Redshirt freshman Brown started in net, along with freshmen Leah Crotty and Jade Rehberger in the field.
Freshmen Sammy Cenek, Hillary Griffin and Kelsey McLaughlin all came in off the bench for their first collegiate appearances.