CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Illinois State soccer blanked in-state rival Eastern Illinois 1-0 on Thursday at Lakeside Field. The Redbirds improve to 4-1-3 on the season, earning three of their four victories by a one-goal margin.

After scoring her first career goal last Sunday, defender Ava Watson found the mesh once more against the Panthers. Watson fired a shot from the top of the penalty box, sneaking the ball into the upper right of the net to give Illinois State a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. Sammi Cenek was credited with her second assist of the season on the play.

The Redbirds pressured the Panthers from the initial whistle, putting seven shots on goal in the first 45 minutes and adding two more shots on frame in the second half.

Sosi Dadekian and Mikayla Carkhuff posed an offensive threat throughout the match, each putting all three of their shot attempts on frame.

The Redbirds also held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Goalkeeper Madi Valenti recorded her third shutout this season and the 20th of her career. She is just the fourth Redbird in program history to post 20 career shutouts, joining Aryn Newsom, Becky Feldmann and Haley Smith, who holds the program record with 26. Valenti's three saves on the day put her at 189 for her career, 10 shy of Andrea Shaw, who ranks fourth in program history.

UP NEXT

The Redbirds close out nonconference play on the road against Western Illinois on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.