McLean County Times

Illinois State Soccer (1-0-1, 0-0-0 MVC) remained unbeaten in the 2024 season with a scoreless draw on Sunday against Purdue Fort Wayne (0-1-1, 0-0-0 Horizon).

The Redbirds are unbeaten through the first two games of a season for the first time since 2018, when Illinois State tied Cal State Northridge 2-2 and beat Eastern Michigan 1-0. First-year head coach Raleigh DeRose becomes the second coach in program history to be unbeaten through their first two games at the helm of Illinois State. Former head coach Drew Roff opened his first year at Illinois State with a 3-0-0 mark in 2007.

Illinois State held Purdue Fort Wayne to just one shot on goal, as sophomore goalkeeper Madi Valenti made the save in her first career start. Valenti posted a clean sheet for the Redbirds, marking the first of her college career.

Opportunities were limited on Sunday, with Illinois State putting five shots on frame. Perhaps Illinois State's best chance came in the first half when freshman Eiley Henderson earned a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper but could not connect. The Redbirds led the shot count 9-8; however, the Mastodons held a 5-3 edge in the second half.

This was Illinois State's first scoreless draw since tying Valparaiso 0-0 in 2022 and their first scoreless draw outside of MVC play since playing No.19 Marquette to a draw in 2017.

The Redbirds will take their unbeaten record on the road again for a meeting with Illinois on August 25 at 5 PM on B1G+.

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