IMAGE COURTESY OF GOREDBIRDS ATHLETICS
NORMAL, Ill- Illinois State Soccer pulled out a huge win against the Drake Bulldogs on Thursday evening, winning the contest by a score of 1-0. The win put the Birds in first place in the conference with just two conference games remaining.
Drake came into Adelaide Street Field being first place in the conference and left being second. ISU needed to win the game to move into first place and that is exactly what they did behind great efforts from Madi Valenti and Jade Rehberger.
There were not many good scoring chances in the first half and the Birds were outshot by the Bulldogs 5-1 at halftime. The scoring drought finally broke through when Jade Rehberger scored her first career goal with just 10 minutes to go in the contest. It came off a corner kick when Rylie Monahan’s shot was blocked and redirected right to Rehberger who nailed the shot.
Madi Valenti made 3 saves, playing the entire game. It was Valenti’s 10th shutout of the season. She tied the record for most shutouts in a single season in Redbird Soccer history.
The Birds now have 2 games remaining, both on the road. They will take on Indiana State on Sunday and Belmont next Thursday. Illinois State stands at the top of the conference right now after the win and they now control their own destiny in the final two games of the regular season.
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