The Illinois State soccer team posted its third straight shutout while improving its win streak to seven, after besting IUPUI in Indianapolis, 1-0, on Tuesday afternoon. Junior Natalie Vaughn-Low was the Redbird goal scorer, with senior Kate Del Fava being credited with the assist.
The Redbirds improve to 9-4 (2-0) while the Jaguars drop to 9-4-1 (3-1-0) on the season.
"Today was another full-team effort and anything less would have ended in a different result," said head coach Brad Silvey. "IUPUI created a lot of new challenges that will benefit us going forward. We lacked some sharpness and discipline near the end of the first half, but really proud of the second half response to gain back control of the game, score the goal and earn the shutout."
After a scoreless first half, Vaughn-Low broke the tie in the 61st minute, collecting a pass from Del Fava out wide in front of goal and slotting it past the keeper to the lower right corner. It was Vaughn-Low's fourth goal and she now totals 12 points this season. She continues her offensive streak, as she has tallied at least one point in each of the seven games she has played since coming back from injury.
Del Fava, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, earned the assist on the goal and improved to 30 points in her 2019 senior campaign.
Senior goalkeeper Haley Smith got the win in goal for the Redbirds, moving to 8-4 on the year. The current MVC Defensive Player of the Week collected six saves on 16 shots faced to help preserve the shutout. Illinois State now hasn't conceded a goal in 335 minutes played.
IUPUI outshot Illinois State, 16-15, and 6-5 in shots on goal despite the loss.
UP NEXT: The Redbirds head to Valparaiso on Saturday to take on the Crusaders in MVC play. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
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