TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State women's soccer will travel to Chicago, Ill. for their first Missouri Valley Conference matchup with the Loyola Ramblers. The match will kick off on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. (ET).

"The first few weeks we have learned a lot about this young group. I think we are in a good spot mentally and physically as we head into conference play," said head coach Julie Hanley.

The Sycamores are coming off another 1-1 weekend after traveling to Wisconsin to face off with Green Bay and Milwaukee.

On Sept. 1 ISU matched up with the Phoenix of Green Bay and came away with a 2-0 victory. Katie Sidloski had an impressive game recording three points coming from one goal and one assist during the match. Sidloski earned MVC Newcomer of the Week honors for her performance.

Indiana States first goal of the match came from another young Sycamore, freshman Jensen Margheim. Margheim scored in the 68^th minute off ball that was slotted into the box from the right flank. This was her first goal of the season.

Caitlyn Eddy recorded another assist during the match giving her four on the year thus far. Eddy leads the Sycamores in assists and all four have come from corner kicks.
The Sycamores then hopped on the bus and headed to Milwaukee to face off with the Panthers on Sept. 3.

Indiana State struggled to generate offensive attack and break the strong backline of the Panthers. The Sycamores fell by a score of 3-0.

"Every conference game we play has so much riding on it for final conference standings. The team realizes this and the veteran leadership on the team will be called on early and often as we head into this portion of our season."

The Ramblers enter this weekend's matchup with a 3-3 record. Loyola finished the 2016 season with a 2-4-0 conference record and fell to Evansville in the 2016 MVC Tournament semifinal match.

Multiple players have been leading the way for Loyola, including MVC Preseason All-Conference selection Jenna Szczesny who currently holds six points coming from three goals along with a team leading 15 shots.

Loyola has defeated Oral Roberts, Akron and Mercer so far this season. The Ramblers also recorded a nail-biting 2-1 overtime loss to Central Michigan.
 
In 2016 the Sycamores defeated the Ramblers 1-0 with a header goal in the 62^nd minute of play.

Indiana State finished the 2016 conference season with a 2-3-1 record and fell in a golden goal finish to the Illinois State Redbirds in the tournament semifinal match.

"As a team we know that we have to play our best soccer this Friday and match the intensity and energy of a fantastic Loyola team who is always very well coached and organized," said Hanley.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Soccer team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.