The Illinois State soccer team pulled out a gritty win in Springfield, Missouri, Friday evening, as the Redbirds defeated the Missouri State Bears, 1-0, in their final regular season road contest. Senior Kate Del Fava tallied Illinois State's lone goal in the 64th minute while senior goalkeeper Haley Smith made three saves off nine shots faced to preserve the shutout.
ISU improves to 12-5 (5-1 MVC) while the Bears drop to 9-4-2 (3-2-1 MVC).
Missouri State contained the Redbirds in the first half, not allowing a single shot from ISU while posting six of their own. The 'Birds regrouped at halftime and recorded 12 shots in the second half alone, finishing the game outshooting the Bears, 12-9, and 7-3 in shots on goal.
Del Fava's 64th minute, unassisted goal was her 14th of the season and 21st of her career. The senior currently leads the MVC in goals (14), game-winning goals (5), points (32) and shots on goal (31).
Del Fava took a team-high four shots, placing two on goal. Senior forward Mikayla Unger also posted two shots on goal.
Smith, the Illinois State program record holder in shutouts, posted her 25th career shutout while improving to eight shutouts on the season. Smith's three saves on the day brings her season total to 64 saves and she is now only 16 saves away from Becky Feldmann's all-time saves program record of 341, set during the 2000 season.
Smith, senior Megan McEachern and sophomore Jessica Siebers all played the full 90 minutes for the Redbirds.
UP NEXT
ISU will host Drake (6-8-1, 3-2-0) at Adelaide Street Field on Thursday in the regular season finale.
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