ISU Soccer Starts Win Streak to End Non-Conference Schedule

Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

NORMAL Ill. – Illinois State University’s soccer team is looking to continue their recent success in the upcoming matches.

The Redbirds had initially struggled and started the season with a six game losing streak. That streak came to a halting stop with a 5-1 victory against Lindenwood last Thursday. They continued the momentum with a 2-1 victory against Western Illinois on Sunday. 

With these two victories, there have been two redbirds who were named Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Week, with senior Allison Baker being names MVC Offensive Player of the Week and Kelsi McLaughlin earning MVC Freshman of the Week. This is the first time since 2019 that multiple redbirds have been honored in the same week. Within the two victories, Kelsi McLaughlin was able to secure her first ever collegiate goal.

Allison Baker is leading the team with three goals. Baker also leads the team in shots with sixteen. Hillary Griffin leads the team in assists with five, and Katherine Ashley, I’yawa Brewer, and Sydney Smith lead the team in yellow cards with two each.

Goalkeeping for the redbirds has been consistent with redshirt freshman Audrey Brown, playing in all eight games of the season so far, and starting seven of those eight. Daniela Grgas has also stepped up for the redbirds, playing in goal three times and starting once.

The next game for the redbirds is against UIC on September 18th. This will be the teams first MVC play of the season.