A Test of Resilience
Thursday night, August 20, the Lindenwood Women's Soccer team will host Illinois State at Dave Steward Field in St. Charles, Missouri, kicking off at 4:00 p.m. The contest marks the Lions' first home meeting with the Redbirds and arrives after a 5-0 defeat on the road against Saint Louis last Sunday.
Despite the loss, Lindenwood can draw confidence from a three‑game winning streak at Steward Field that dates back to October 2023, a period in which the squad posted an 11‑4‑4 home record and went 3‑1‑2 in Missouri Valley Conference play the previous season.
A key factor in that home success has been the return of eight starters, including senior forward Mackenzie Compton, who not only led the team with six shots in the most recent outing but also netted the game‑winning goal. Alongside her, Tasneem Dizdarevic, Rachel Jackson, Allison Schrumpf and Alysse Lamb form a core that accounted for nearly all of last year’s 22 goals and 54 points.
Illinois State arrives with momentum, having opened the season with a 2‑1 win over Northern Illinois, and boasts two preseason All‑MVC selections: defender Grace Petrie and goalkeeper Madi Valenti, the latter a St. Charles native who set a program record with 12 shutouts and a .853 save percentage.
The Redbirds’ attack is anchored by Rylann Law, who contributed six shots, three on target, and a goal in their latest victory. While Lindenwood added five newcomers — transfers Sam Steele, Addie Dea and Addie Wilkie, plus freshmen Peyton Johnson and Lauren Hale — the team’s chemistry will be tested against a disciplined opponent.
Historically, the two programs are evenly matched at 1‑1‑0, with the last encounter ending in a 2‑1 road win for Lindenwood. A victory on Thursday would not only restore confidence but also set the tone for a Sunday showdown with DePaul.