CEDAR FALLS, Iowa. – Illinois State soccer extended its unbeaten streak to seven straight games with a 1-0 victory over UNI in Cedar Falls, Iowa Saturday afternoon.
In the opening minutes of the contest, each squad fought for its own share of possession. As the two teams battled for possession, the first shot in the contest was made in the 17th minute by Illinois State, which led to a corner.
With the Redbirds beginning to gain momentum in the game, Sophomore Kaya Durkee delivered the corner that would deflect off the crossbar and keep the matchup level at 0-0. Moments later, Illinois State would find another opportunity with another corner as Durkee found Senior Sammi Cenek in the back of the box. Cenek's shot would be cleared off the line by a Panther defender to keep the game leveled at 0-0.
The Redbirds maintained their pressure to end the first half, as in the 39th minute, Illinois State was awarded a free kick. Durkee delivered a shot that drew the first save of the contest from the UNI goalkeeper. Illinois State added two more shots before the break, but the score remained at 0-0. The Redbirds held a 6-1 shot advantage in the first half and didn't allow a UNI shot until the 35th minute.
In the opening minutes of the final frame, Illinois State continued to press as they started the half with four shots. After a shot from Rylann Law deflected off the crossbar, Cenek would find the ball on the edge of the box and would score her first goal of the season to give the Redbirds a 1-0 lead.
Despite facing six shots in the remaining moments of the second half, the Redbirds stayed strong defensively to preserve their 1-0 advantage to close out the game.
Illinois State recorded its ninth shutout of the season, the most for the Redbirds since 2019 and the most under DeRose. Redshirt Sophomore Madi Valenti added her 13th career shutout and now sits tied with Sasha Reiber (2008-09) for fifth all-time in program history.
The Redbirds outpaced the Panthers in shots 14-7 in the game. In the last four contests, Illinois State has had double-digit shot totals in all four games, marking the longest streak this season.
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