NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer secured its first victory in conference play with a 2-0 win over Southern Illinois Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Street Field.
In the first three games of conference play, the Redbirds have remained unbeaten after their victory on Sunday, marking the longest unbeaten streak to start Valley play since 2019. With the shutout win, Illinois State also recorded its second shutout in conference play, which is the most in the first three games to open MVC play since 2020-21.
The Redbirds remain unbeaten in their last five games and have recorded four shutouts during that span, each the most under head coach Raleigh DeRose. The five-game unbeaten streak is the longest for Illinois State since 2019, when the Redbirds didn't suffer a defeat in nine consecutive games.
With the win, the Redbirds move to 4-1-1 in the all-time series against Southern Illinois and 3-0-0 at Adelaide Street Field against the Salukis.
Illinois State applied pressure early in the game's opening minutes, including two shots in the first eight minutes of the contest. Moments later, in the 16th minute, Sophomore Danica Key found an opportunity as she would chip the Saluki goalkeeper and find the back of the net to give the Redbirds a 1-0 lead.
As the Redbirds maintained the advantage, Southern Illinois would try to find an equalizer before the break. In the remaining moments of the first frame, the Salukis would outpace the Redbirds with a 4-3 shot advantage, including shots that would draw two saves from Redshirt Sophomore Madi Valenti.
To begin the second half, the Redbirds pressed on the attack by outshooting the Salukis 4-1 in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. In the 77th minute, Illinois State took advantage of a free kick as Sophomore Kaya Durkee delivered a ball to Sophomore Rylie Monohan in the box that Monohan would use to find the back of the net to give the Redbirds a 2-0 advantage.
In the closing moments of the game, the Redbirds would shut down any attempts from the Saluki attack. Valenti made two saves in the remaining four minutes to preserve the Redbird shutout.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds will return to Adelaide Street Field on Oct. 5 for a contest with Evansville on Reggie's Kids Club Day. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be available to watch on ESPN+.
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