Redbirds Come from Behind to Beat Valpo, 2-1

NORMAL, Ill. – Freshmen Eiley Henderson and Eve Gricius netted their first collegiate goals as Illinois State soccer (3-7-2, 1-2-1 MVC) beat Valparaiso (4-8-0, 0-4-0 MVC) Thursday at Adelaide Street Field.  

For the second time this year Illinois State erased a 1-0 lead to win 2-1 at home behind two first-career goals. The Redbirds opened the year with a 2-1 win over Green Bay, where Sammi Cenek and Chloe Cline scored their first career goals for a comeback win.  

The Beacons struck in the 14th minute before Henderson leveled the score with a header in the 19th minute. Erika Wells earned her first-career assist on a cross from the far side. Henderson was there to beat the goalie at the near post. 

Illinois State earned a flurry of opportunities to close the first half, but the score remained 1-1. The two sides fought to break ahead before Wells again set up a Redbird goal. She played the ball through midfield for Gricius to beat the goalie on a shot to the far post. From there Illinois State managed to close out the win as Madi Valenti made a key stop in the 85th minute. She finished with six saves.  

Wells is just the second Redbird since 2019 to dish two assists in a single game. She joins current Redbird Hillary Griffin, who did so against Lindenwood her freshman campaign.  

Illinois State tied its season high with 17 shots in the win (Sep. 8 at Western Illinois) to go with 10 shots on goal. It marked just the fifth time since the start of the 2022 season that Illinois State has tallied 15-plus shots in a single game and the second time since 2021 that the Redbirds have generated double-digit shots on goal. The Redbirds generated 11 shots on goal Sep. 8 at Western Illinois. 

UP NEXT 

The Birds head to Murray State Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+. 

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