NORMAL, Ill. – Behind a game-winning goal from Grace Petrie and nine saves from Madi Valenti, Illinois State shut out Belmont, 1-0, during a rainy Thursday night at Adelaide Street Field.

With the win, the Redbirds improved to 9-2-3 overall and 4-1-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The victory also snapped the Redbirds' two-game losing streak to the Bruins.

"I think games like this just come down to grit," said ISU head coach Raleigh DeRose. "When it's rainy, the ball moves a little differently. You have to find a way, and you have to be gritty, and I think our team certainly did that today."

Petrie, who has played every minute of every game so far this season, scored the game-winning goal in the 40th minute, heading in a corner kick from Eve Gricius to give Illinois State a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Petrie's second of the season, while Gricius recorded her third assist. Petrie is the sixth different Redbird this season to record multiple goals, while Gricius is the third Redbird to tally three or more assists.

ISU has scored 23 total goals this season, which is the most since the Redbirds scored 42 goals over 20 matches in 2019.

The Redbirds carried the 1-0 lead into halftime and held off Belmont throughout the second half to secure the shutout. Valenti recorded a season-high nine saves in goal, including four in the second half, to preserve the victory.

Valenti reached two career milestones in the win. She appeared in her 55th career game in goal to move into sole possession of fourth place in program history and recorded her 24th career shutout to rank second all-time at Illinois State.

The shutout marked the Redbirds' seventh of the season, tying for the 10th-most in a single season in program history. Illinois State also extended its home unbeaten streak to 14 games, moving into sole possession of third place in program history.

Belmont held a 15-14 advantage in shots and put nine attempts on goal, but Valenti and the Redbird defense kept the Bruins off the scoreboard. Illinois State finished with seven shots on goal, while both teams recorded four corner kicks.

UP NEXT

The Redbirds will return to Adelaide Street Field on Sunday to face Indiana State in their next Missouri Valley Conference matchup. Illinois State will also celebrate its senior class ahead of the 1 p.m. CT contest.