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Aug. 29, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - Labor Day is typically a time of rest and relaxation for most people to end the summer. The Illinois State soccer team does not see it that way, as the Redbirds will take part in the Lakeside Invitational, hosted by Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill., this holiday weekend. ISU takes on Loyola-Chicago Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Northwestern Monday at 3:30 p.m. Louisiana State is also taking part in the tournament.

"We are looking forward to playing a couple of very good teams in Loyola and Northwestern this weekend in Evanston," said head coach Drew Roff. "We know that to have success we are going to have to play the best we have played so far this season. Both opponents will definitely provide us with the kind of challenge that we train for and this weekend's games should be very competitive and fun to watch."

SHARING THE WEALTH
Through the first two games of the season, Illinois State has 13 points on five goals and three assists. All five goals and all three assists have been recorded by different players. Junior midfielder Ammanda Wisniewski leads the Redbirds with three points on a goal and an assist that she recorded against Green Bay. The Redbirds have only allowed five points by their opponents on two goals and one assist. They also hold a 32-12 advantage in shots.

CAREER-FIRSTS GALORE
Of the five players who have scored goals this season, four of them did it for the first time in their careers. Sophomore forward Alyssa Schulz, freshman forwards Jess Carlson and Mary Sahm and freshman back Alex Howell each scored their first-career goals over the opening weekend. Freshman midfielder Natalie McCabe earned her first-career point with an assist against Green Bay.

ISU VS. ILLINOIS
The Redbirds face two teams from Illinois this weekend, but they have a strong track record against teams from the Land of Lincoln. ISU is 29-19-3 all-time against Illinois schools (DePaul, Eastern Illinois, Illinois, Loyola, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Western Illinois).

THE REDBIRDS-RAMBLERS SERIES
Illinois State leads the all-time series with Loyola, 5-3-1. After winning the first five games against the Ramblers, the Redbirds are winless in the last four. Four of the last five games have gone into overtime.

THE REDBIRDS-WILDCATS SERIES
The series between Illinois State and Northwestern is tied at two wins each. The Wildcats outscored the Redbirds 11-0 in the first two meetings, but ISU has managed one-goal wins in the last two contests. The two teams have not met since 2004.