Redbird soccer picked to win MVC

Posted on August 15, 2017
Brad Silvey is beginning his first season as ISU women’s soccer coach after serving as an assistant for two seasons. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)
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By ISU Sports Information

ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State women’s soccer team received seven first-place tallies and 63 total points when voted as the top team in the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll, as announced by the league Monday.

Last season, after being tabbed to finish fourth in the coaches’ poll, ISU claimed the MVC title. The Redbirds set a new MVC record after a 14-game winning streak in 2016. Brad Silvey is entering his first season as head coach, after two seasons as the assistant at Illinois State. Silvey welcomes back 15 letterwinners and eight starters.

PODCAST: Listen to WJBC’s interviews with ISU coaches during the Redbird Fall Preview Show. 

The 2017 women’s soccer preseason all-conference team includes three Redbirds, senior midfielder Kelli Zickert, who ended the 2016 season as a member of the All-Conference first team, sophomore forward and 2016 MVC Freshman of the Year Mikayla Unger, and sophomore goalkeeper Haley Smith, who was a member of the 2016 MVC All-Freshman team along with Unger.

Zickert finished the 2016 season with six goals and five assists, having played in all 23 games. Unger finished with five goals and two assists, also appearing in every match for the Redbirds. Smith led the team between the pipes in 2016, totaling 74 saves in 22 games with a goals-against average of 0.92, which tied for second in the Valley. Smith tied for first in the Valley with six shutouts during the 2016 season.

The Redbirds officially kick off their 2017 campaign this Friday, when they travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan to face off against Eastern Michigan. ISU returns home to kick off their home season Sunday, when they host the Wildcats of Northwestern at Adelaide Street Field.

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