ST. LOUIS — Illinois State goalkeeper Madi Valenti was named the Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday. It is her second weekly honor this season and the fifth for the Redbirds.
The accolade comes after Valenti tallied 16 saves and one shutout over the Redbirds' two conference matches last week against Belmont and Indiana State.
The graduate student from St. Charles, Missouri, earned her 24th career shutout with a season-high nine saves as the Redbirds prevailed 1-0 over the Bruins on Thursday. Her 24 career shutouts rank second in program history and are tied for fifth in MVC history. The match also marked Valenti's 55th career appearance in goal, moving her into sole possession of fourth place in the Illinois State record books.
Then on Sunday, Valenti recorded seven saves against Indiana State as the Redbirds converted a late penalty kick to earn a 1-1 draw with the Sycamores. The draw extended the Redbirds' home unbeaten streak to 15 matches, which is currently tied for fifth in Division I women's soccer.
Valenti, the reigning MVC Goalkeeper of the Year, sits atop the conference and within the top 20 in the nation in save percentage (19th, 0.868) and shutouts (20th, 7). The Redbirds also lead the MVC in goal differential during conference play, scoring 11 goals while allowing just two.
Valenti and the Redbirds are back in action on Sunday, Oct. 25, against Evansville. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
