CARBONDALE, Ill. – Illinois State soccer (2-5-2, 0-0-1 MVC) earned its third shutout of the season in a scoreless draw at Southern Illinois (4-2-3, 0-0-1 MVC) to open MVC play Thursday. It is the first time Illinois State has earned a shutout on the road in MVC play since a 1-0 overtime win at Missouri State in 2021. 

All three shutouts this season for Illinois State have come on the road, with Madi Valenti registering all three clean sheets. The performance Thursday tied former Redbird Priya Gillan (2021) for the most shutouts in a single season since 2019. It also is the first time Illinois State has tallied three-plus road shutouts in a single season since the 2019 campaign.  

Shots were even Thursday night as both teams accounted for eight. After just one shot in the first half Illinois State tallied seven shots in a strong second-half push. The Redbirds tallied five corner kicks, with four coming in the second half. It is the fifth time this season Illinois State has generated five-plus corner kicks in a game.  

All eight shots for Illinois State were taken but a different player. Eiley Henderson and Aniya Seymore both put a shot on goal. Valenti made on save in the game.  

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