Normal, Ill. - Goalkeeper Daniela Grgas posted Illinois State's first shutout of the season as the Redbirds played to a scoreless draw with Valpo Thursday night at Adelaide Street Field. The result secured the first point for the Redbirds in MVC play and snapped a five-game losing streak.
Grgas stood tall all night as she posted the second shutout of her collegiate career and her first clean sheet since April of 2021. (3-0, 4.3 vs Southern Illinois). She made a career-high six saves including four in the first half.
Grgas and freshman Jade Rehberger teamed up for a game-saving stop in the 88th minute as Molly O'Rear earned a breakaway chance for Valparaiso. Rehberger chased down O'Rear to deflect her initial shot and Grgas stopped the rebound attempt to keep Valpo off the board.
Grgas set the tone early with a highlight-reel save in the 11th minute. The Beacons play developed at the near sideline, setting up a cross to the top of the box. She dove towards the far post to keep away Kiley Dugan's shot from the penalty arc and the match remained scoreless.
Scoring chances were limited as the Redbirds battled hard with the Beacons. Illinois State generated pair of shots, both of which came in the second half.
Haley Glover and Katelynn Buescher accounted for the shots from the Redbirds, with Buescher's chance going on frame in the 53rd minute. The Redbirds played a corner kick in for Buescher, who shot it to the bottom left corner.
Ten minutes later Glover's shot from inside the 18 went high in Illinois State's best scoring opportunity of the night.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds head to Murray State Sunday for a 1 p.m. CT kick off on ESPN3.
