NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer is set to travel to Valparaiso for a contest with the Beacons Thursday evening at Brown Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be available to watch on ESPN+.
Thursday's meeting marks the 14th meeting with Valparaiso as Illinois State holds an 8-3-2 advantage in the series. In last year's meeting with the Beacons, the Redbirds prevailed with a 2-1 win at Adelaide Street Field in October of last season. Sophomores Eve Gricius and Eiley Henderson each scored their first collegiate goals in the contest.
Illinois State heads to Valparaiso looking to maintain its undefeated record in contests played in Valparaiso, Ind., and will look for its first road win against the Beacons since 2019 on Thursday.
The Redbirds hit the road after securing a 1-1 draw on Thursday against Murray State in their Missouri Valley Conference opener. Thursday's tie marked the third straight draw for Illinois State, which marks the first time in program history the Redbirds have tallied three consecutive draws.
In the final looming moments of the contest, Redshirt Sophomore Madi Valenti made a crucial save in the 86th minute to keep the game level at 1-1. This past week, Valenti was awarded MVC Goalkeeper of the Week honors for her heroics against the Racers. Valenti joins Jade Rehberger, Kaya Durkee, and Rylann Law as the four Redbirds to win a MVC weekly award and becomes the fourth straight weekly award representative for Illinois State.
Valenti leads the MVC with 47 saves and has recorded at least three saves in five of the Redbirds' last six contests. In the last seven games, Valenti and the Redbirds have only conceded two goals.
The Beacons enter Thursday's matchup after falling 5-1 to Drake in their MVC opener. Valpo is led by John Marovich, who enters his 18th season at the helm of the Beacons. Marovich has led Valpo to a 139-136-50 record and holds the program records for victories and winning percentage.
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