ST. LOUIS — Illinois State soccer's Madi Valenti has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon. It is her first weekly honor this season and the third for the Redbirds.
Valenti's recognition comes after recording her fourth shutout of the season, tied for first in the MVC, on Sunday against Murray State. She made five saves in goal during Illinois State's conference-opening victory over the Racers, helping the Redbirds begin MVC play 1-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season.Â
"Madi showed up big for our team on Sunday," said head coach Raleigh DeRose. "She put the game in her hands in the first few minutes of the game and set a strong precedent and gave our team confidence and energy. The saves that she made not only kept us in the game but also contributed to us keeping the shutout and getting the win on the road. We are incredibly proud of her."
Valenti now has 21 career shutouts and 196 career saves, inching closer to third and fourth in program history, respectively, in those categories. Â
Last season, Valenti was named the MVC Goalkeeper of the Year after registering 12 shutouts, the most in a single season in ISU history.
Valenti and the Redbirds return to action next Sunday at UIC, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. CT at Flames Field.
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