Quick Kicks
-Drake women's soccer gets back on the road in the Heart of Illinois in Normal to take on the Illinois State Redbirds on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. before its first-ever game at Mediacom Stadium against Evansville on Sunday, Oct. 15. 
-Mediacom Stadium, the newest on-campus home of Drake soccer is officially open with Drake men's soccer winning the inaugural match 2-0 over St. Thomas on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
-The Bulldogs moved into first place in the MVC standings after a 2-1 win over Valparaiso last Sunday. Four conference wins have already matched Drake's MVC win total from the 2022 season.
-Valparaiso allowed two goals in a game for the first time since a 2-1 MVC Tournament overtime loss to Evansville on Nov. 5, 2021. The Beacons had not allowed two goals or more in regulation since Oct. 28, 2021. Drake defeated Valparaiso for the first time since Nov. 4, 2019.
-Emma Nagel is 4-for-4 on penalty kick attempts this season and is now tied for the conference lead in goals scored (7).
-Angela Gutierrez scored her third goal of the season on Sunday and first since Sept. 3.
-Drake's 12-match scoring streak came to an end on Thursday, Oct. 5 in a 0-0 draw with Missouri State on the road. Addie Ford made eight saves to help secure the shutout, the second most of her career.
-The 12-match scoring streak is the second longest in program history as the program record for consecutive games scored is a whopping 19 games from Step. 5, 2004-Aug. 26, 2005.
-Drake has recorded six shutouts this season (three at home, three on the road).
 
Broadcast Information
Both matches will stream live on ESPN+.
 
Scouting Illinois State
Illinois State has accumulated a 3-5-4 overall record and 1-2-3 MVC mark after a 2-0 loss last Sunday versus Murray State.
 
Senior forward Haley Glover leads the Redbirds with six goals, primarily due to a four goal game against Western Illinois on Sept. 10. Freshman forward Julia Liguore has scored three goals and added one assist so far this season. Katie O'Malley and Ava Watson pace Illinois State with three assists apiece. 
 
Former Wisconsin standout and team captain Marisa Kresge is in her second season as the Illinois State head coach with a mark of 6-19-5. 
 
Series History vs. Illinois State
Illinois State leads the all-time series, 12-10-3, but the Redbirds have not defeated the Bulldogs since Nov. 1, 2019 (1-0 in Bettendorf). Drake beat Illinois State last season, 2-0 on Sept. 29 at Drake Stadium.
 
Scouting Evansville
The Purple Aces enter the week at 1-3-8 overall and undefeated in Missouri Valley Conference play (1-0-5) as part of a seven-game unbeaten streak. 

Sophomore Kaylee Woosley scored the game-winner to push the Aces for their first win of the season last Sunday over UIC. Senior keeper Myia Danek has made 52 saves in goal for Evansville. 
 
Chris Pflau is in the fourth season of his second stint as the Evansville head coach. Pflau first led the Purple Aces from 2005-07 before returning to UE in 2019 after stops at Akron and Houston. His overall coaching record is 91-131-47 over 16 seasons.

Series History vs. Evansville
The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 14-10-3. The last time Drake lost to Evansville was Sept. 25, 2016 (1-0) in Des Moines. Last year's match in Evansville on Oct. 13 ended in a 2-2 draw. 

Up Next
Drake will travel to Murray State on Thursday, Oct. 19 for a 3 p.m. kickoff.