SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's soccer team returns home to continue its MVC slate when they face Illinois State on Wednesday at 1 p.m. (CT).
 

Missouri State (4-3-3, 1-0 MVC) vs Illinois State (3-8-0, 1-1 MVC)
Dates	Wednesday, Sept. 29 | 1 p.m. (CT.)
Location	Springfield, Mo.
Site	Allison South Stadium
Follow Along	Live Stats  | Watch MSU Game Notes
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Match Details
The Bears will look to improve to 2-0 in MVC play when they host Illinois State on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The be broadcast on either ESPN+ or ESPN3 with Don West and Tom Ladd on the call.
 
For all of the latest information and in game updates on the Missouri State women's soccer team, visit MissouriStateBears.com or follow @MSUBearsWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
 
Quick Kicks

• In their last outing on Sept. 19, the Bears' seven-match unbeaten streak ended as they fell at SEMO, 1-0. The Redhawks' Emma Brune provided the difference-maker in the 34^th minute. It marked the first time in six matches that the Bears had allowed a first half goal.
• Missouri State routed Southern Illinois, 3-0 in the MVC opener on Sept. 17. Isabel Burke, Kaeli Benedict and Grace O'Keefe all found the back of the net. O'Keefe and Anna Durnin also picked up assists during the win.
• In her freshman season, O'Keefe provided an immediate spark for the MSU offense. She currently leads the Missouri Valley Conference and ranks 17^th nationally with six assists. The Overland Park, Kan., native leads the Bears with 10 points and has tallied a goal or assist in seven of the 10 matches this season.
• Katherine Montgomery has been impressive protecting the net this season. She has tallied 36 saves in 874 minutes of action this season. Montgomery picked up her fourth clean sheet of the season in the win at Southern Illinois. Her four shutouts rank 32^nd nationally and third in the MVC.
• Sierra Fury leads Missouri State in minutes played with 912 through 10 matches this season.
• Missouri State leads The Valley and ranks 21^st nationally in shot accuracy as the Bears have put 57 percent of their shots on goal.  
• The Bears rank second in the MVC with 13 total assists this season.
• Missouri State averages 6.10 shots on goal per contest, which is the third-best mark in the conference.
• Head Coach Rob Brewer announced his retirement on Aug.18, which will go into effect at the completion of the season. Brewer started the Missouri State program in 1996 and has helped lead the Bears to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2000 and 2017, in addition to finishing in the top three of the Missouri Valley Conference standings 11 times. Brewer has helped mentor 109 all-conference selections and 82 academic all-conference honorees during his tenure and has compiled a 223-203-59 record with the Bears.

The Leader of the Bears

• Head coach Rob Brewer has presided over the Missouri State women's soccer program for the entirety of its 26-season history. Overall, Missouri State has produced a 223-203-59 record during Brewer's tenure. The 1999 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year has produced 109 all-conference selections and 86 academic all-conference honorees. In 26 seasons as a program, his team has reached the MVC Tournament 20 times and has only six losing campaigns. The Bears reached the NCAA tournament in 2000 and 2017 under Brewer's guidance.

Balanced Bears Attack

• The Missouri State attack has been balanced this season, as 10 Bears have tallied a point and nine Bears have scored goals. Kennady Orlick and Kate Schroeder and O'Keefe are all tied for the team lead with two goals apiece. Of the Bears' 37 points this season, 43.2 percent have come from freshmen.

Protecting the Home Turf

• The Bears' 3-0-1 start at home is the best start since 2014, when they won four straight on their home turf. Missouri State has an all-time record of 135-69-24 (.645) at home. The Bears have posted winning records at home in 22 of their 25 campaigns, highlighted by 13-straight winning seasons from 2000-2013.

 
Drawin in Double

• The Bears have gone the full distance without determining a winner three times this season. Their three ties are tied for third nationally and are the most by a Missouri State team since the 2016 team's four. The Missouri State record for ties in a season is five, which was accomplished by the 2005 team.

 
Built Some Bears

• The Missouri State coaching staff has developed quite a pipeline from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kan., in recent years as four alums are on the roster. Bella Bryson, Carly Raunig, Jackson, and O'Keefe all prepped for the Saints. All time, there have been eight Aquinas graduates to take the pitch for the Bears.

Know the Foes

• Illinois State is 3-8-0 and 1-1 in MVC play this season, with wins over Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois.
• The Redbirds have been shut out in six of their 11 matches this season.
• Illinois State defeated SIU, 2-1 in their last match on Sept. 25., with Indianna  Asiumus and Katherine Felton scoring goals.
• Goalkeeper Priya Gillan leads the MVC in goalkeeper minutes with 920. She has collected 48 saves while allowing 19 goals this season.
• Midfielder Natalie Vaughn-Low and Forward Riley O'Brien lead the Redbirds in scoring this season with nine points apiece.
• Head Coach Brad Silvey is in his fifth season at the helm. Under his guidance, Illinois State has posted a 40-39-5 mark while going 18-13-0 in MVC play.

Series History

• Illinois State leads the all-time series, 21-8-9. The Redbirds blanked the Bears, 3-0 in last season's matchup in Normal, Ill. The Bears' last win over Illinois State came on Oct. 26, 2017, at Allison South Stadium.
• The Bears are 69-62-24 (.523) all time in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Take A Look Ahead

• After Wednesday's tilt with the Redbirds, the Bears close out their homestand against Valparaiso on Sunday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (CT) and the game will be broadcast on either ESPN+ or ESPN3. Admission is free to all matches at Allison South Stadium this season.