Sept. 10, 2009

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Megan Brown | Lauren Sinacola

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's soccer team will host Illinois State on Friday (Sept. 11) at DeMartin Stadium at 4 p.m. MSU enters Friday's match undefeated at 3-0-1 on the year while the Redbirds are 1-2-1.

The Last Time Out: Michigan State got three second-half goals, including two from Laura Heyboer less than two minutes apart, as the Spartans defeated Central Michigan, 4-0, at DeMartin Stadium on Sunday (Sept. 6).

In the Polls: Entering today's game, the Spartans are ranked 14th by TopDrawerSoccer.com, 19th by Soccer America and No. 22 in the Soccer Times coaches poll.

This Looks Familiar: Through four games, the MSU defense is looking similar to last season's squad that surrendered just one goal through the first five games. This season, the Spartans have allowed a conference-best one goal in 380:00 of play, while in 2008 after giving up a goal in the first game of the season, MSU went 504:19 before giving up another goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jill Flietstra leads the Big Ten in goals against average at 0.24 as well as save percentage at .938. A New Opponent: Today marks the first-ever meeting between the Redbirds and Spartans. Illinois State is coached by former Spartan Drew Roff who played for MSU from 1991-94.

Hill Keeps Rolling: Senior forward Lauren Hill has at least one goal in all four of the Spartans' games this season. Her 12 points and 5 goals both rank second in the conference. She was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 31 after registering seven points in the Spartans' first two wins of the year.

DeMartin Domination: The Spartans have extended their unbeaten streak to 14 games at DeMartin Stadium after winning their first three home games this season. MSU opened DeMartin Stadium in style last season by posting a stellar 9-0-2 record at home. The longest home-unbeaten streak in school history began Oct. 18, 1988, with a 1-0 win over Kalamazoo College and spanned 15 games (14-0-1) through the entire `89 campaign.

Up Next: The Spartans host Detroit at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 15).

MSU Women's Soccer

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