Illinois State Soccer Host Evansville in Round One of MVC Tournament

Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics 

NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State soccer has officially wrapped up their 2026 regular season. Now their focus is on the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Championship. The first game of the three-round tournament begins on Sunday, where the Redbirds will host the Evansville Aces. 

ISU finishes this regular season with a 9-3-6 overall record, and a 4-2-3 conference record. This marks their best season record since 2019 and puts the team as the third seed in the MVC. 

The Redbirds are coming off a 0-0 draw on Thursday against Valparaiso, ending their regular season. With the draw ISU remained undefeated at home through the regular season going 4-0-4, and extended their unbeaten streak to 16 straight home games, tying for the fourth longest streak in Division I.  

As the three seed in the tournament ISU will host their first game of the tournament against the sixth seed, which this year is Evansville 

The two teams faced once already this season in late October, where the result ended in a 2-2 tie after two late goals from the Redbirds. That game was played in Evansville, so it will be the first time ISU plays the Aces at home this season. 

The winner of Sunday’s match will travel to Carbondale to face two seeded Southern Illinois, who ISU lost to 0-1 earlier this year. 

Last year the Redbirds made it to the championship match, where they hosted UIC, but lost 2-1 in penalties. This year they are looking to win the whole thing. 

The team enters the postseason led by goalkeeper Maddi Valenti. Valenti has developed an impressive resume over her career, as she is second all-time in career shutouts in program history, with 25. Valenti also moved to fourth in career saves with 234. 

In addition to her statistics, she was named the MVC Goalkeeper of the Week twice this season. Only one other athlete earned this award more than once in 2026. Over the season, Valenti allowed only 12 goals in 18 games, with eight shutouts.  

Kickoff for the match is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday at Adelaide Street Field.  

For all things Redbird Soccer, stay tuned to WZND.com