DES MOINES, Iowa – No. 4 Illinois State soccer prevailed 1-0 over No. 1 Drake in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Semifinal, Thursday afternoon at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. 

With the win, Illinois State advances to its first MVC Tournament Championship game appearance since 2019 and will take on UIC Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Street Field. The Redbirds will host the championship round for the first time since 2016, when Illinois State claimed its most recent MVC Tournament title with a 2-1 victory over Evansville. 

Senior Abby Hall converted from the spot in the 85th minute to move Illinois State in front 1-0 in the waning moments of the contest. The Redbirds were awarded a penalty kick after Senior Cyerra Hibbert was taken down in the box on an Illinois State attack. 

The Bulldogs pressed early with an opportunity that forced a save from Redshirt Sophomore Madi Valenti in the first minute of the contest. Drake had scored on the rebound effort, but the goal was overturned due to offside. 

Despite the pressure from Drake in the opening moments, Illinois State responded and shifted the momentum in its favor. The Redbirds limited the Bulldogs to just one shot in the rest of the first half and a handful of goalscoring opportunities. Illinois State wasn't able to capitalize after regaining momentum, despite outpacing Drake in shots 6-2, as the half would end level at 0-0 entering the break. 

Illinois State continued to apply pressure with five shots in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but couldn't find the opening goal of the contest. Drake responded by applying pressure on the Redbirds with three shots of their own over a span of two minutes, but Illinois State maintained the level score. 

After Hall's conversion from the penalty spot, Drake fought to find an equalizer with three shots in the closing moments, but the Redbirds shut down the opposition's threat to secure the victory. 

Valenti tallied her 11th shutout of the season in the win, which marks the most by a Redbird goalkeeper in a season in program history. Valenti's shutout total ranks as tied for the fourth most in the nation.

UP NEXT 

The Redbirds will host UIC in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship Game, Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Street Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Tickets will be available to purchase on goredbirds.com or at the entrance gate on Sunday.

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