CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Playing the fourth and final Big Ten foe of the season, the Eastern Illinois women's rugby squad is set to visit state rival Illinois Saturday afternoon, with kickoff scheduled for noon.

The Panthers will head up I-57 sporting a 7-1 season mark after having currently won their last four games.

Overall, EIU owns a 7-2 all-time series advantage over the Fighting Illini, with the last Illinois victory against the Panthers occuring back in 2001.

Last season, the Panthers blanked the Illini, 60-0, at home as Lauren Doyle, then a freshman, ran in three trys in the first half alone, tying former Panther Ashley Jenkins in the offensive scoring in the rout.

Current sophomore, Ashley Aardsma, chipped in a couple five-pointers of her own, while Charleston native Coartney McKinney finished with a 5-for-10 day in two-point conversions.

Following Saturday's second-to-last road trip, the Panthers will return to Charleston for the squad's home finale against Iowa State on Sunday (Oct. 31).  Kickoff for the senior game is slated for noon at EIU's Lakeside Field.

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID