NORMAL, Ill. – The Drake women's soccer team begins the Missouri Valley Conference portion of its schedule Saturday at Illinois State with first kick against the Redbirds scheduled for 7 p.m.

Drake (3-7) played a tough non-conference schedule as well as a strong exhibition slate to prepare for the always-challenging MVC. The Bulldogs' conference schedule features three road contests and three home games, capped by a contest at Missouri State on Oct. 24. Mixed in with the league games is one final non-conference match at Oklahoma State on Oct. 7.

Eleven freshman or sophomores have played significant minutes so far this season for the Bulldogs. One of those is freshman Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.) who leads the team and is tied for third in the league in goals scored with five. Juniors Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.) and Kayla Armstrong (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), who led Drake in goals last season, have each scored three goals this year.

The defending MVC regular season and tournament champions, Illinois State (3-5-2), have played its last five games away from home. In their last road contest, the Redbirds won beat Central Michigan in double overtime, 1-0. Illinois State has four players tied for the team lead in goals scored with two. Illinois State edged Drake, 2-0, last season in Des Moines.

Drake welcomes Indiana State on Oct. 2 for its first league home match with kickoff against the Sycamores set for 7 p.m. at Cownie Soccer Complex.