Redbirds Shutout Eastern Illinois in Road Win

Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics 

CHARLESTON, Ill. — Illinois State soccer traveled to Eastern Illinois on Thursday, coming away with a 1-0 victory. The latest win gives the Redbirds a 4-1-3 record, as they sit atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings. 

Both teams started the game hot offensively, each getting multiple shots within the first ten minutes. In the 12th minute, Senior Ava Watson scored her second career goal to break the tie. Watson has now scored in back-to-back games, with her scoring her first career goal on Sunday against Purdue Fort Wayne. 

 This goal came after an assist from Sammi Cenek, her second career assist.

The Redbird offense continued applying pressure, with Sosi Dadekian and Mikayla Carkhuff each getting three shots on goal, but Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Ella Kratochvil kept the Redbirds off the board with an eight-save performance. 

Redbirds goalkeeper Madi Valenti made three saves of her own, placing her ten career saves from fourth in program history. This match marked her 20th career shutout, making her just the fourth Redbird to reach the milestone.

With back-to-back wins, Illinois State will continue their four-game road stretch on Sunday against Western Illinois, which will be the last of their non-conference games. The Redbirds won last season’ds matchup with the Leathernecks 5-0 at Adelaide Street Field.

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